PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrew Rush (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hank Savard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Rush
vs
Savard

187 cm
22
245 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

196 cm
22
250 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Andrew Rush !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hank Savard!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, William Peck and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savard lands a nice hook to Rush 's body. Rush takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Rush fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Rush drives through and clinches with Savard against the cage.
Rush is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Savard is keeping busy.

Rush tightens his grip and picks Savard up, before dumping him to the ground. Savard manages to land in guard.
Rush wanted to stand there but Savard had control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rush is looking to work some ground and pound but Savard has wrist control.
Savard manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rush manages to get himself to full guard.
Rush tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Savard trying to control the position from guard on top but Rush is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Savard postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rush wants to sweep but no luck.
Savard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rush swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savard sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Savard drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Savard jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Savard wants to control from the top but Rush keeps moving.
Rush keeping full guard, as Savard tries to pass.

Rush working for a triangle but Savard defends it easily.

Rush working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Savard doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Savard manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rush is breathing heavily.

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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Savard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Savard lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Savard throws a series of punches but Rush avoids them all with ease.
Savard scores with a push kick.
Rush takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Savard fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rush sprawls well initially but Savard persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Savard is trying to work for a kimura but Rush is defending well.
Rush blocking the ground and pound attempt from Savard.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Savard is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Rush has managed to free his arm - good work.

Savard is looking for a kimura but Rush is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Savard to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Savard is working for a submission of some sort.
Rush moves into full guard.
Savard advances to half guard.

Savard looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Savard seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savard takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Savard with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Savard is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rush defends it well.
Savard with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Savard is trying to work for a kimura but Rush is defending well.
Savard is keen to just control but Rush is a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Savard dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rush shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Savard counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Savard lands a nice shot that snaps Rush 's head back.
Rush shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Savard just misses with a punch to the body.
Savard stuffs the takedown attempt from Rush . Rush gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrew Rush . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Savard misses the shot to the body.
Savard uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rush .
Rush with a lazy takedown attempt
and Savard counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Savard throws a nice looking combination but Rush bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rush looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Savard takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savard scores with a one two! Rush had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Andrew Rush has been cut.
Savard with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Savard throws a leg kick which misses Rush 's front leg but catches the back leg as Rush tries to avoid it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Oooh a lovely combination from Savard sends Rush down but not out. Savard dives into side control looking to finish.
Savard working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Savard fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Savard is putting a hurting on Rush here, landing some big shots from side control.
Savard is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Rush 's shoulder. That is not cool.

Savard is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rush knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Savard wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rush , who protects the arm well.
Savard has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Savard advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Savard is working for a guillotine from mount but Rush frees his head quite easily.
Savard looking to control but Rush is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Savard looking to secure an arm triangle but Rush defends it well.
Rush is in all sorts of trouble here.

Savard has hold of Rush 's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Rush manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rush wants to hold on but Savard pushes him away.
Savard moves to take his opponent's back.

Savard 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, Rush has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Savard has the hooks in. Rush is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Savard is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Rush is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rush fending off the submission attempt from Savard.
Rush trying to control the hands but Savard breaks the grip.
Rush looking very determined here, making life difficult for Savard.

Savard is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Rush knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Rush for a finish.
Savard doesn't have the hooks in and Rush manages to turn into his guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rush looking to sit in guard and control but Savard gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Savard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Andrew Rush 's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Savard throws a body punch but Rush moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Savard.
Rush tries to stall but Savard uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Savard pushes Rush back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Savard using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rush has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Savard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Savard looks for the body kick but Rush saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rush tries to clinch there but Savard circles away.
Savard fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rush .
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Savard thumps Rush with a low kick.
Savard connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rush shoots in but Savard avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Savard jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Savard changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Savard closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hank Savard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Savard scores with a jab. Rush acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Some wild striking there from Savard.
Hank Savard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jab by Savard.
Savard scores with a one two! Rush had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Savard gets a takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Savard drops an elbow to the side of Rush 's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rush wants to improve his position but Savard is controlling well.
Savard works his way into side control.
Rush seems a little lost for a moment, as Savard dominates the positioning.
Hank Savard has got the better of the ground game so far.
Savard in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Savard tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Savard has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Savard landing strikes.
Savard is looking to take a break and control but Rush is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rush striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Savard happy to just control the position for now.

Savard goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Rush rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Savard's guard! Nice work there by Rush !
Rush trying to control but Savard is working from the bottom.

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.
Savard pulls Rush in close to prevent any damage.
Rush trying to control but Savard is working from the bottom.
Savard looking to control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Savard looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rush is one step ahead there.
Andrew Rush has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hank Savard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Savard has his hands on Rush 's head, controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hank Savard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Savard winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 26:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 26:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hank Savard!