PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexev Savinov (ranked 3346 p4p, 4024 weight class) and Gordon Hurst (ranked 363 p4p, 433 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Savinov
vs
Hurst

195 cm
20
257
1 - 2 - 0

195 cm
20
285
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alexev Savinov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gordon Hurst!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Ian Loll and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick from Savinov misses
and Hurst counters with a nice leg kick.
Hurst looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Hurst throws a body shot but no joy.
Hurst misses with a body shot.
Hurst throws a body shot but no joy.
A telegraphed right hand from Hurst misses the target.
Savinov fires out a quick counter leg kick but Hurst just manages to avoid it.
Savinov cracks a nice hook into Hurst's ribs.
Hurst uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Savinov.
Savinov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hurst moves away.

Hurst gets tackled into the cage by Savinov. Savinov maintains the clinch.
A short left from Savinov.
Hurst goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hurst lands a body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hurst.
Hurst digs a right hand into Savinov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Savinov's gas tank.
Hurst doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Savinov struggles to land a body shot inside as Hurst controls his hands.
Hurst has a couple of punches blocked by Savinov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Savinov throws an elbow but misses.
Savinov prevents a body shot from Hurst.
Savinov misses with a body punch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Savinov throws an elbow but misses.
Savinov misses with an elbow strike.
Savinov tries to throw a body punch but Hurst avoids it by throwing Savinov back against the cage.

Savinov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hurst throws a right hand that Savinov ducks under and follows up with a left that Savinov also avoids with ease.
Hurst throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hurst lands a jab to Savinov's midsection.
Hurst throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A lazy body kick from Savinov
and Hurst counters with a nice body shot.
A head kick misses from Savinov.
Hurst looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hurst swings for the body but Savinov moves out of range.
Hurst looks to throw the jab but Savinov is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Savinov. Hurst does a little dance to reset his feet.
Savinov stalks Hurst and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hurst's face. Hurst staggers backwards, shaken.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hurst takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hurst misses with a hook.
Hurst on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Savinov. Savinov obviously looking to wear him down.
A looping hook to the body misses from Savinov. Hurst does a little dance to reset his feet.
Savinov looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
A lazy left from Savinov finds it's target.
Hurst throws a hook to the side of Savinov's head but Savinov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Savinov ducks under a wild hook from Hurst.
Hurst misses with a leg kick.
Savinov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hurst throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hurst ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Savinov moves away.
Hurst cracks Savinov with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savinov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hurst.
Savinov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hurst lands a jab to Savinov's midsection.
Savinov scores with a punch to the head.
Savinov moves away from the strike by Hurst.
Savinov cracks Hurst with a good jab.
Hurst tries to clinch but Savinov is having none of it.
Hurst misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Savinov.
Savinov is looking to wear down Hurst with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Savinov blocks a jab.
Savinov is looking to counter with a body kick.
Hurst throws a right and a left that both miss.
Savinov throws a shot to the body.
An inside leg kick from Hurst misses.
Savinov is looking to counter punch.
Savinov clobbers Hurst with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Savinov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
It seemed like Hurst was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Savinov.
Hurst looks to throw the jab but Savinov is out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Savinov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Savinov moves away from the strike by Hurst.
Hurst takes one on the button.
Savinov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hurst has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Savinov throws a hook but Hurst avoids it easily.
Hurst is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Savinov with a body shot.
Hurst uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Savinov.
Savinov connects with the punch.
Savinov throws a lazy right hand but Hurst sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hurst throws an overhand right that lands on Savinov's shoulder, as Savinov tries to avoid the shot.
Hurst lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Hurst bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hurst has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Savinov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Savinov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hurst moves out of range of the leg kick from Savinov.
Savinov slips a straight right by Hurst.
Savinov misses with a lunging right hand
letting Hurst counter with a right hand.
Nice defenses there by Hurst.
A left lands for Hurst.
Hurst misses with a hook to the body
and Savinov counters with a series of strikes. Hurst will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hurst checks the leg kick.
Savinov dodges the punch combination from Hurst.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hurst tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Savinov was well out of range. Poor timing from Hurst.
Savinov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hurst misses with a looping left.
Savinov slips a jab from Hurst.
Hurst wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savinov checks a low kick from Hurst.
Hurst looks to land a right hand but Savinov moved out of range.
Hurst misses with a body shot.
Hurst throws a leg kick that is checked
and Savinov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A head kick misses from Savinov.
Hurst throws out a counter right but Savinov avoids it with no problem.
Savinov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hurst.
Hurst throws a leg kick
and Hurst takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hurst throws a chopping leg kick but Savinov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
As Hurst tries to get set, Savinov tries to push him back and clinch up but Hurst manages to avoid the attempt.
Savinov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hurst on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hurst throws a body punch but Savinov moves out of range.
Savinov scores with a head kick. Hurst tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hurst throws a shot from downtown. Savinov moves away and avoids it.
Savinov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hurst stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hurst connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Savinov throws out a loose jab but Hurst uses good head movement to avoid it.
Alexev Savinov is winning the standup battle so far.
Savinov connects with a nice looking jab.
Savinov throws a hook but Hurst blocks it.
Savinov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hurst throws out the jab.
A low kick from Savinov is predictable there
enabling Hurst to counter with a crisp jab.
Savinov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hurst misses with a low kick as Savinov jumps back.
Savinov tried to counter with a leg kick but Hurst avoided it.
Savinov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hurst lands a nice looking body shot.
Savinov ducks under a wild hook from Hurst.
Savinov avoids the body shot from Hurst.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hurst takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Savinov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hurst looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Savinov misses with a low kick.
Hurst avoids a kick to the body.
Hurst is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Savinov throws out a loose jab but Hurst uses good head movement to avoid it.
Savinov throws a front kick aimed at Hurst's knee but Hurst avoids it well.
A good leg kick by Hurst.
Hurst scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
The fighters circling - Savinov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Savinov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Savinov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Hurst.
Savinov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Savinov here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Hurst throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Savinov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hurst swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savinov loads up on a big right hand but Hurst slips the punch.
Savinov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Savinov sets himself, and Hurst steps forward looking for the clinch! Savinov avoids it this time.
Hurst wants to slow Savinov down by chopping away at his legs.
Hurst throws a body shot but no joy.

Savinov closes the distance and pushes Hurst back into the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Savinov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hurst backwards.
Hurst taking a breather.
Savinov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Savinov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Hurst dodges an elbow strike from Savinov.
Hurst misses with the head strike.
Hurst working aggressively here.
Hurst throws a head punch that misses.
Hurst can't find room to land a body shot as Savinov controls the action.
Savinov misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Savinov wants to slow Hurst down by chopping away at his legs.
Savinov moves away from the strike by Hurst.
Savinov tries to clinch but Hurst moves out of range.
Hurst doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Savinov slips a straight right by Hurst.
Hurst staying out of range there.
Hurst finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Savinov throws a shot from downtown. Hurst moves away and avoids it.
Hurst just misses with a punch to the body.
A counter left hand to the body from Savinov misses its target.
Savinov throws a low kick but Hurst avoids it.
Savinov thows a leg kick but Hurst checks it
letting Hurst counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hurst ducks under a wild hook from Savinov.
Hurst misses with a looping right.
Hurst misses with a hook.
Savinov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Savinov throws a wild body kick that Hurst sees coming a mile off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savinov connects with an inside leg kick.
Savinov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Savinov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hurst throws a push kick but Savinov slaps the foot to one side.
Hurst misses the shot to the body.
Savinov loads up on a big right hand but Hurst slips the punch.
Savinov misses with an uppercut. Hurst saw that one coming.
Hurst throws a looping overhand right but Savinov ducks down to avoid it.
Savinov is looking to score with low kicks.
Hurst is looking for the big counter here.
Savinov scores with a jab.
Savinov connects with a right hand. Hurst shakes it off.
Savinov throws a body shot but no joy.
Hurst throws a sloppy head kick
and Savinov counters with a good low kick that Hurst was not able to check.
Savinov throws a poor cross that misses
and Hurst counters with a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hurst comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hurst misses with a hook. Savinov ducked under it nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Savinov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hurst, pushing him back against the cage.
Savinov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Savinov tries to throw a body punch but Hurst avoids it by throwing Savinov back against the cage.
Hurst blocks the elbow strike.
Hurst working aggressively here.
Savinov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Savinov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Savinov tries to work over Hurst's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice body punch from Hurst.
Hurst has a couple of punches blocked by Savinov.
Savinov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Savinov fails to land.
Alexev Savinov has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hurst misses with a body punch.
Hurst tries a body shot but Savinov blocks it.
Savinov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Savinov lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Gordon Hurst has been cut.
Hurst tries a body shot but Savinov blocks it.
Savinov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Savinov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hurst working aggressively here.
Hurst misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hurst tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Savinov swings wildly with an uppercut but Hurst uses good head movement to avoid it.
Savinov misses with a punch to the body.
Savinov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hurst.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hurst blocks a body shot from Savinov.
Savinov blocks a body shot from Hurst.
Savinov misses with a punch on the inside.
Hurst misses with some punches.
Hurst tries to throw a body punch but Savinov avoids it by throwing Hurst back against the cage.
Savinov struggles to land a body shot inside as Hurst controls his hands.
Hurst misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hurst blocks an elbow strike from Savinov.

Savinov manages to break the clinch.
Savinov throws a leg kick
and Hurst counters with a stiff right hand.
Hurst throws out a powerful jab.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Hurst has taken the fight to the clinch.
Alexev Savinov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hurst lands with a short shot to the head.
Savinov pushes off an throws an elbow but Hurst leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Gordon Hurst has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Savinov prevents a body shot from Hurst.

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 Alexev Savinov.
Well Savinov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alexev Savinov!
A relieved looking Alexev Savinov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.