PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ken Severn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Samuels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Severn comes into the arena with Ja volim vatat muve blaring out of the sound system. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Severn
vs
Samuels

184 cm
26
220 lbs
16 - 9 - 1

188 cm
28
212 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Core Tokyo

- The Red Eye - Q158 for $100
- The Red Eye - Q158 for $100

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Ken Severn!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sam Samuels!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shigeki Sano and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Samuels avoids a punch combination nicely.
Severn misses with a double jab.
Samuels shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Severn sprawls well. Severn wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Samuels gets slowly back to his feet.
Samuels slips a jab and a cross from Severn.
Severn ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Samuels ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Samuels tries to score a power double leg takedown but Severn sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Samuels somewhat.
Severn changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Samuels thows a body shot but no joy.
Samuels dips to his left and cracks Severn with an uppercut!
Samuels keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Severn.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samuels dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Samuels has a takedown stuffed.
Ken Severn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Samuels.
Samuels throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Samuels ducks under a wild hook from Severn.
A big left from Severn misses.
Severn throws the left hand but Samuels avoids the punch easily.
Samuels is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Severn.
Severn misses with a hook.
Samuels misses with a looping right.
Severn misses with a straight left.
Samuels staying out of range there.
Severn swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Samuels misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samuels throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Severn throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Severn pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Severn pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Samuels moves away from the strike by Severn.
Severn throws a right hand that Samuels ducks under and follows up with a left that Samuels also avoids with ease.
Severn swinging wildly here.
Severn is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Severn swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Samuels tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Severn was well out of range. Poor timing from Samuels.
A jab from Samuels misses.
Severn swings for the body but Samuels moves out of range.
Samuels dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
No joy there for Severn, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Severn attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Samuels. Severn does a little dance to reset his feet.
Samuels with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Severn misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Samuels decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Severn's guard.

Samuels is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Severn looking to control.
Samuels tries to free his leg and advance position but Severn is retaining full guard.
Samuels is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Severn keeping moving, preventing Samuels from controlling successfully.
Severn tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Samuels trying to control but Severn is working from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Severn lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Samuels!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Severn unloading with bombs!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Samuels tries to hold on but Severn postures up.
Severn throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Samuels because Severn loaded up on that one.
Severn trying to control but Samuels is having none of it.
Samuels is trying desperately to improve position.
Samuels tries to hold on but Severn pushes him away.
Samuels can't escape the position.

Severn jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Samuels manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Samuels tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Severn wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Samuels dominated that round.
That's time! Severn's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Severn takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Severn takes one on the chin but seems OK.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Samuels throws a lazy right hand but Severn sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Samuels changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Severn looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Severn takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

Samuels wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Severn, who protects the arm well.
Severn is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Samuels lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Severn is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Samuels is thwarting Severn's attempts to control the position.
Samuels passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Severn!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samuels fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Samuels looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Samuels lands a big shot there that rocks Severn but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
A nice elbow there by Samuels.
Severn tries to reverse the position but Samuels maintains control.
Severn slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Severn wants to control but Samuels is keeping busy.
Severn on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Samuels looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Severn is looking for a sweep. Samuels is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nice strikes from Samuels there.
Severn has hold of Samuels's hands but Samuels slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Samuels working the head and body with strikes.
Samuels has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Samuels thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Severn's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Severn is looking for a sweep. Samuels is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Severn is trying to control but can't.

Samuels is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Samuels is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Samuels is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Severn is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Severn is trying to control but can't.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Severn is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Samuels is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Samuels looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuels stalling.
Samuels is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Samuels wants to work for an arm triangle but Severn is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Samuels passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Severn!

Samuels is working for a guillotine from mount but Severn frees his head quite easily.
Severn is looking to get to half guard.
Severn is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Severn wants to control but Samuels is having none of it.
Samuels lands a big elbow.
Severn really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Samuels lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Samuels is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Severn is surviving well by controlling Samuels's body position as best he can.
Samuels with shots to the head and body - Severn looks very uncomfortable down there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Severn really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Samuels with shots to the head and body - Severn looks very uncomfortable down there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Samuels content just to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Samuels showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Samuels fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Samuels connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Samuels slips under a jab from Severn.
Samuels throws a body punch but Severn moves out of range.
Samuels throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Severn throws a shot from downtown. Samuels moves away and avoids it.
Samuels shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Severn as he avoids it easily.
Severn jabs Samuels right on the nose. Samuels blinks but takes it well.
Severn defending well as Samuels loads up on a big left hand.
Severn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Samuels.

Samuels gets caught flat footed, as Severn shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Samuels not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Severn looking to pass the guard.

Samuels escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Severn gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Samuels pulls Severn in to control the position.
Samuels trying to control the position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Sam Samuels wasn't active enough on the ground.
Severn scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Sam Samuels has been cut.
Samuels uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Severn.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samuels throws a hook to the side of Severn's head but Severn sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Samuels feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Severn is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Severn keeping moving, preventing Samuels from controlling successfully.
Severn looking to hit a scissor sweep but Samuels is one step ahead there.
Severn trying to control the position.
Samuels trying to control but Severn is working from the bottom.
Samuels is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Sam Samuels was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Severn misses with a double jab
and Samuels counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuels walks into a left hand.
Jab by Severn.
Severn swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Samuels counters with a stiff right hand.
Severn tries to close the distance and clinch up but Samuels swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A looping hook to the body misses from Severn. Samuels does a little dance to reset his feet.
Severn avoids the body shot from Samuels.
Samuels is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Severn rather than just go for the knockout.
Severn avoids the body shot from Samuels.
Severn is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Samuels.
Severn throws a jab but it's blocked by Samuels.
Samuels avoids the body shot from Severn.
Samuels thuds his right hand into Severn's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Severn there.
Severn throws a lazy right hand but Samuels sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A shot to the liver by Samuels. Beautiful body shot.
Severn keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Samuels fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Severn on the side of the head.
Samuels works Severn's body with a nice hook.
Severn ducks under a wild hook from Samuels.
Severn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Samuels.
The fighters circle momentarily. Samuels darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Severn throws a shot from downtown. Samuels moves away and avoids it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Severn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Samuels.
Severn blocks a jab.
Samuels tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Severn was well out of range. Poor timing from Samuels.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Samuels really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sam Samuels's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Samuels throws out a loose jab but Severn uses good head movement to avoid it.
Samuels jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Severn takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Samuels dips to his left and cracks Severn with an uppercut!
Severn avoids the body shot from Samuels.
Sam Samuels seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Severn avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Samuels misses with a wild body shot.
Samuels darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Samuels cracks a nice hook into Severn's ribs.
Severn throws a body punch but Samuels moves out of range.
Samuels scores with a body shot.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Samuels scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Samuels content to control rather than advance.
Samuels winds up and cracks Severn with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samuels performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Severn taking some punishment here, with Samuels in his half guard.

Samuels is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Severn has managed to free his arm - good work.
Samuels has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Samuels looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Severn with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Samuels is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Severn sees it coming and defends easily.
Severn is refusing to be controlled, as Samuels sits in half guard.
Severn is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samuels lands strikes from half guard.
Samuels seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Severn does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Severn is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Samuels's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Samuels's back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Severn doesn't have the hooks in and Samuels manages to turn into his guard.
Samuels works over Severn with some ground and pound from guard.
Samuels with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Samuels landing with the ground and pound.
Severn wants to sweep but no luck.

Samuels drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Samuels jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Samuels stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Severn swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Severn bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Samuels's guard.

Severn drops back looking for a leg! Samuels is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Samuels manages to kick Severn off! Severn jumps back into Samuels's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuels controls Severn momentarily but Severn frees himself.
Severn looking to pass the guard.
Severn content to stall in guard here.
Samuels is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Samuels is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sam Samuels has got the better of the ground game so far.
Samuels bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Severn's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samuels trying to control the position from guard on top but Severn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Samuels works over Severn with some ground and pound from guard.
Samuels trying to control but Severn is working from the bottom.

Samuels drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Samuels as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Severn screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Samuels! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:42 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Sam Samuels! Sam Samuels retains his light heavyweight title!