PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Billy Butcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Samuels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Butcher comes into the arena with Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen blaring out of the sound system. Sam Samuels has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Butcher
vs
Samuels

182 cm
29
191 lbs
16 - 1 - 0

188 cm
29
203 lbs
16 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very strong

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Milwaukee's Best 160 - $89

Prestige Clothing
Prestige Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Billy Butcher!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sam Samuels!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Sano and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Samuels fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Butcher sprawls well initially but Samuels persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Butcher tries to get to full guard but Samuels has control of the leg.
Butcher slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Samuels wants to control from the top but Butcher keeps moving.
Butcher has control of Samuels's left arm, preventing Samuels from doing any damage.
Butcher working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Samuels.
Butcher wants to sweep here but Samuels controlling him for the moment.
Samuels tries to free his leg and advance position but Butcher is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butcher wants to sweep but no luck.
Samuels wants to pass the guard but Butcher is keeping the position.
Butcher manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Butcher is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Butcher takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Butcher prevents Samuels from getting the reversal.
Butcher controlling from the full mount.

Butcher get's back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butcher swings away with a body shot that misses

and Samuels counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Samuels postures up in Butcher's guard and throws a big left but Butcher blocks it.
Butcher trying to keep a closed guard but Samuels is proving a slippery customer.
Samuels postures up in Butcher's guard and throws a big left but Butcher blocks it.
Butcher pulls Samuels in close to prevent any damage.
Samuels loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Butcher working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Samuels.
Butcher is controlling Samuels's posture.
Samuels trying to control the position from guard on top but Butcher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Butcher manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Samuels is desperately trying to improve his position but Butcher has a good base and remains in mount.
Butcher controlling from the full mount.
Butcher looking to control but Samuels is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Butcher controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Butcher tries to control but Samuels wriggling away.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Billy Butcher wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Samuels shoots in looking for a takedown. Butcher tries to sprawl out of it but Samuels keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Butcher manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Samuels shoots for a takedown but Butcher saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Samuels fails with the takedown.
Billy Butcher has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Samuels.
Butcher connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Butcher bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Samuels's head backwards.
Samuels thows a body shot but no joy.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Butcher misses.
Samuels swings for the body but Butcher moves out of range.
Butcher misses with a low kick.
Butcher lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Butcher looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Butcher pushes Samuels away with a front kick.
Samuels looks gassed!
Butcher throws a head kick but Samuels moves out of range.
Samuels gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Butcher uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Samuels.
Butcher lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Samuels at a distance.
Samuels swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Samuels avoids the body shot from Butcher.
Samuels with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Butcher to score with a decent uppercut.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Samuels misses the body punch
and Butcher counters with a stiff right hand.
Butcher lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Samuels displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Butcher throws out the jab.
Butcher misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Samuels.
Butcher keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Samuels takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Billy Butcher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Butcher avoids the body shot from Samuels.
Samuels takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Butcher throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Samuels throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Butcher's waist but Butcher gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Samuels off to one side.
Butcher fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Samuels checks it well.
Butcher pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Samuels throws a predictable looking body shot
and Butcher counters with a stiff right hand.
Butcher lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Samuels at a distance.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Butcher scores with the left hand. Samuels knows he should have avoided that one.
Butcher throws a low kick, looking for Samuels's leg but Samuels calmly moves out of range.
Billy Butcher is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Butcher is looking to chop away at Samuels's legs.
Butcher scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Samuels takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Butcher is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Samuels just misses with a punch to the body.
Butcher takes a swing at Samuels's ribcage but misses.
Butcher throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A slapping leg kick lands for Butcher.
A thudding body kick lands there by Butcher!
Samuels moves away from the strike by Butcher.
Butcher fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Samuels has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Butcher lands a body shot.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Butcher lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Butcher throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Samuels fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Butcher.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Butcher throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Butcher throws a chopping leg kick but Samuels manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Butcher lands a nice leg kick that just misses Samuels's sensitive parts.
A solid leg kick lands there for Butcher.
Butcher connects with a solid leg kick.
Butcher goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Butcher lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Samuels is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Butcher rather than just go for the knockout.
An inside leg kick lands from Butcher.
Butcher is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Butcher throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Samuels on the side of the head.
A good leg kick by Butcher.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Butcher comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Samuels checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Samuels takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Butcher throws a low kick but Samuels avoids it.
Samuels's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Butcher moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Butcher connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Butcher.
Butcher connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nice straight punches there by Butcher. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Butcher.
Butcher lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Butcher throws out a powerful jab.
A bone on bone clash there as Samuels blocks the leg kick.
Samuels takes one on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Butcher dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A nice inside leg kick there by Butcher. That's going to slow Samuels down.

It looks like Sam Samuels has been cut.
Butcher connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Butcher fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Samuels manages to avoid it.
Butcher darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Samuels checks a low kick from Butcher.
Samuels fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Butcher manages to avoid it.
Samuels sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Butcher is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Samuels can do to turn this around?
Samuels checks a low kick from Butcher.
Samuels thows a body shot but no joy.
Butcher looks to throw the jab but Samuels is out of range.
Samuels is breathing heavily.
Butcher moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Samuels checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Samuels avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Butcher lands with a kick to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butcher cracks Samuels with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Samuels keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Butcher swings for the body but Samuels moves out of range.
Samuels has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Butcher.
Samuels walks into a left hand.
Butcher avoids the body shot from Samuels.
Butcher lands a nice looking kick to the body. Samuels takes a step back to recover.
Good standup being displayed there by Butcher as he connects with a hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Butcher misses the target.
Butcher throws a quick inside leg kick.
Butcher connects with a body shot that sends Samuels's belly button to the back.
Butcher throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Butcher thuds his shin into the meat of Samuels's side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butcher turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Samuels has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Butcher throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Samuels.
The fighters circle momentarily. Butcher darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Butcher misses with a wild combination.
Butcher works the jab nicely.
Butcher throws a body kick that misses.
Butcher thows a body kick. Samuels tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Samuels avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Butcher throws a push kick but Samuels slaps the foot to one side.
Butcher lands a leg kick that knocks Samuels off balance momentarily.
Butcher connects with a leg kick. Samuels looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Butcher takes a swing at Samuels's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butcher with a nice cross.
Butcher turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Butcher lands a two punch combo.
Butcher tries a head kick but it misses.
Butcher scores with a jab to the head.
Butcher tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Samuels is able to avoid easily.
Butcher misses with a body kick.
Samuels blocks a low kick nicely.
Samuels scores with a jab to the head.
Samuels swings for the body but Butcher moves out of range.
Samuels moves out of range of the body kick.
Samuels throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Butcher misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butcher looks to throw the jab but Samuels is out of range.
Samuels misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Butcher.
Samuels avoids the body shot from Butcher.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Butcher. Samuels shrugs it off though.
Samuels throws a hook to the side of Butcher's head but Butcher sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Butcher ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Samuels moves away.
Samuels checks the leg kick.
Samuels throws a body punch but Butcher moves out of range.
Samuels swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Butcher goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Samuels moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Butcher connects with a right hand. Samuels shakes it off.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Samuels throws a predictable looking body shot
and Butcher counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Butcher looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Butcher.
Good leg kick by Butcher there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Butcher misses the shot to the body.
Samuels thows a body shot but no joy.
Samuels takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Samuels fails with the takedown.
Butcher thows a body shot but no joy.
Samuels uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Butcher.
Samuels avoids the body shot from Butcher.
Butcher throws the kick towards the body but Samuels avoids it.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Butcher misses with an uppercut. Samuels saw that one coming.
Butcher connects with an inside leg kick.
Nice body punch from Butcher.
A slapping leg kick lands for Butcher.
Butcher scores with a hook to the body. Samuels takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Samuels takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Butcher, right into the meat.
Butcher changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Samuels takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Butcher tries a head kick but it misses.
Butcher is looking to chop away at Samuels's legs.
Butcher misses with a head kick.
A combination from Butcher does no damage.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Butcher throws a body punch but Samuels moves out of range.
Samuels swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Samuels needs to keep his hands up - Butcher had a free shot at his head there.
Samuels misses with a takedown attempt - Butcher sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Butcher walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Samuels checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Butcher lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Samuels has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Samuels and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Samuels misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Butcher.
Butcher throws a poor cross that misses
and Samuels counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Butcher lands a nice shot that snaps Samuels's head back.
Samuels keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Butcher.
Samuels cracks a nice hook into Butcher's ribs.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Butcher throws the kick towards the body but Samuels avoids it.
Butcher looks to throw the jab but Samuels is out of range.

Butcher tries to sprawl but Samuels drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Samuels is thwarting Butcher's attempts to control the position.

Samuels seems to be working for a kimura but Butcher defends the submission attempt.
Butcher is looking to improve his position.
Butcher manages to get to full guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Butcher is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Butcher keeping moving, preventing Samuels from controlling successfully.
Butcher seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Samuels preventing the sweep.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Butcher trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Butcher dominated that second 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 misses with a shot to the body
letting Butcher counter with a right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Samuels. Butcher does a little dance to reset his feet.
Samuels just misses with a punch to the body.
Samuels misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Butcher.
Samuels fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Butcher scoring well with a low kick there.
Butcher lands a nice looking body shot.
Butcher just misses with a punch to the body.
Butcher takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Samuels thows a body shot but no joy.
Samuels takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Butcher lands with an overhand left.
Samuels swings for the body but Butcher moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Samuels blocks the low kick.
Samuels keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Samuels avoids the head kick by Butcher.
Butcher lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Samuels blocks a leg kick.
Samuels tries to score a power double leg takedown but Butcher sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Samuels somewhat.
Samuels blocks a leg kick.
Samuels swings for the body but Butcher moves out of range.
Butcher is looking to chop away at Samuels's legs.
Billy Butcher is winning the standup battle so far.
A bone on bone clash there as Samuels blocks the leg kick.
Samuels fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Billy Butcher has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Samuels.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Samuels checks a leg kick.
Samuels checks the leg kick.
Samuels stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Butcher.
Samuels walks into a straight right hand from Butcher.
Butcher throws a hook but Samuels blocks it.
A clash of legs there as Samuels blocks the low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Samuels. Butcher does a little dance to reset his feet.
Butcher finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Butcher throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Butcher gets caught napping as Samuels dives in and scores a takedown. Butcher manages to retain guard.
Butcher looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Butcher is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Samuels is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuels wants to pass the guard but Butcher is keeping the position.
Butcher is pulling down on Samuels's head to control his posture.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Butcher trying to keep a closed guard but Samuels is proving a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Billy Butcher just wasn't active enough.

Samuels gets a takedown into half guard.
Butcher is holding on to half guard well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samuels trying to mount his opponent but Butcher defends it.
Butcher is staying active underneath Samuels, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Samuels 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.
Butcher wants to improve his position but Samuels is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Samuels works his way into full mount!
Butcher is trying to stand.
Samuels scoring with strikes but Butcher is staying in there.
Butcher tries to hold on but Samuels postures up.

Samuels wants to finish this one by submission but Butcher is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Samuels.
Butcher is squirming around, avoiding Samuels's attempts to control the action.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Samuels working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Butcher knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Samuels on the ground.
Butcher is working to get back to half guard.
Butcher tries to hold on but Samuels pushes him away.
Butcher just holding on.
Butcher is trying to escape the mount.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Samuels is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Butcher is surviving well by controlling Samuels's body position as best he can.
Butcher is desperately trying to improve his position but Samuels has a good base and remains in mount.
Butcher is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Samuels trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Butcher is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Butcher tries to hold on but Samuels pushes him away.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Butcher is squirming around, avoiding Samuels's attempts to control the action.
Butcher tries to hold on but Samuels postures up.
Butcher working to try and regain half guard.
Samuels controlling from mount.

Samuels looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Samuels scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Butcher regains half guard.
Well, if Samuels is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Butcher tries to roll over but Samuels keeps him under control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Butcher wants to control but Samuels is keeping busy.
Butcher trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
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.
That's time! Back to the action!

A kick lands to the mid section there for Butcher.
Nice defenses there by Samuels.
Butcher misses with a series of wild punches.
A solid body kick from Butcher.

Samuels looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Butcher!
Butcher wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Samuels is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Butcher is looking to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Samuels avoids the attempt from Butcher to control.

Samuels is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Butcher can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Butcher working to try and regain half guard.
Samuels looking to control but Butcher is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Samuels tries to push Butcher's head away but Butcher is holding on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Samuels with good strikes from the mount here!
Samuels throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Butcher because Samuels loaded up on that one.

Samuels wants to finish this one by submission but Butcher is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Samuels.
Butcher wants to hold on but Samuels pushes him away.
Samuels thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Butcher is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuels lands a heavy elbow.
Butcher is looking to get to half guard.

Samuels wants to finish this one by submission but Butcher is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Samuels.
Butcher is desperately trying to improve his position but Samuels has a good base and remains in mount.
Butcher blocking the ground and pound.
Butcher taking shots to the head.
Samuels prevents Butcher from getting the reversal.
Butcher tries to hold on but Samuels pushes him away.
Butcher in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Butcher that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Butcher is bucking up trying to escape but Samuels cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Butcher taking shots to the head.

Butcher is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Samuels putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Oh Butcher is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Samuels thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Butcher seems to have got his legs back now.
Butcher is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Samuels is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Samuels in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Samuels looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Samuels scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Butcher?

Samuels with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Butcher keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Sam Samuels has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Butcher is squirming around, avoiding Samuels's attempts to control the action.
Samuels has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Butcher is trying to escape the mount.
The referee warns Butcher that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Butcher tries to lock up and control but Samuels gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Samuels trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Samuels landing strikes, looking to finish!
Butcher really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Samuels goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Butcher turns into him and now he's in Samuels's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Samuels is on top in guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Butcher pulls Samuels in close to prevent any damage.
Samuels slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Samuels drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Butcher dives on top into guard.
Samuels keeping full guard, as Butcher tries to pass.
Samuels looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Butcher looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Butcher trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Butcher has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Butcher stands up from Samuels's guard - Butcher perhaps looking for a knockout.
Samuels ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Butcher moves away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Samuels. Butcher does a little dance to reset his feet.
Samuels misses with a body shot.
Butcher lands with a cross.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Butcher throws a chopping leg kick but Samuels manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Samuels misses with a jab to the body
and Butcher counters with a leg kick.
Samuels swings for the body but Butcher moves out of range.
Samuels takes a swing at Butcher's ribcage but misses.
Butcher with a hook.
Samuels shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Butcher but Butcher pushes him off and we're back to square one.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Butcher.
Samuels takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Butcher is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Samuels.
Samuels checks a low kick from Butcher.
Butcher just misses with a punch to the body.
Butcher turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Samuels dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Sam Samuels's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Samuels misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Samuels takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Butcher connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Samuels's hands.
Butcher scores with a jab to the jaw.
Samuels misses with a jab to the body
and Butcher counters with a good low kick that Samuels was not able to check.
Samuels chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Butcher can pounce on him.
Samuels swings for the body but Butcher moves out of range.
Butcher scores with a body shot.
Butcher tried to score with a low kick but Samuels checks it.
Butcher throws a sloppy head kick and Samuels moves out of range easily.
Samuels looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Butcher is fending him off so far but Samuels persists. Nope, Butcher circles away and we're back to standing.
Butcher throws the kick towards the body but Samuels avoids it.
Samuels is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Butcher throws out a loose jab but Samuels uses good head movement to avoid it.
Samuels checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butcher misses with a low kick.
Butcher pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Samuels checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Butcher throws a body punch but Samuels moves out of range.
Butcher tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Samuels was well out of range. Poor timing from Butcher.
Butcher misses with a head kick.
Samuels checks a leg kick.
Butcher misses with a body kick.
Samuels throws a predictable looking body shot
and Butcher counters with a slapping leg kick.
Samuels moves out of range as Butcher throws a body kick.
Butcher misses with a body shot
and Samuels counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Butcher throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Samuels misses the shot to the body.

That's two 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.
Samuels keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Butcher misses with a leg kick.

Samuels shoots in and gets a takedown into Butcher's guard.
Butcher has his hands on Samuels's head, controlling the position.

Samuels thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Butcher keeping moving, preventing Samuels from controlling successfully.
Butcher is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Samuels trying to control the position from guard on top but Butcher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Samuels trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Butcher keeping moving, preventing Samuels from controlling successfully.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Sam Samuels wasn't active enough on the ground.
Samuels shoots for a double leg takedown but Butcher sprawls well. He's pushed Samuels's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Butcher fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Samuels manages to avoid it.
Butcher takes a swing at Samuels's ribcage but misses.
Samuels displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Butcher throws out the jab.
Butcher uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Samuels.

That's four 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.
Samuels shoots in but Butcher avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Billy Butcher has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Samuels.
Butcher lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Butcher throws a head kick that half lands.
Butcher swings for the body but Samuels moves out of range.
Butcher misses with a body kick.
Butcher throws a nice inside leg kick.
Samuels steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Butcher. That one must have hurt.
Butcher throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Samuels fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Butcher to the ground. Samuels is now in Butcher's guard.
Butcher is pulling down on Samuels's head to control his posture.
Butcher tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Samuels throwing strikes from guard but Butcher blocks nicely.
Butcher looking to control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Butcher avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Butcher looking to hit a scissor sweep but Samuels is one step ahead there.
Butcher pulls Samuels in close to his closed guard and prevents Samuels from doing any damage or advancing position.

We're going to have a standup here because Billy Butcher wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Samuels checks a low kick from Butcher.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Samuels shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Butcher as he avoids it easily.
Butcher lands a nice shot to the body.
Butcher is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Samuels.
Butcher lands a nice looking body kick.
Butcher lands a nice shot that snaps Samuels's head back.
Butcher feints and then cracks Samuels's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Samuels down.
Butcher tries to land a leg kick but Samuels saw it coming and moves away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Butcher.
Butcher buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Butcher fakes the leg kick and cracks Samuels in the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Butcher.
Butcher throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Butcher misses with a head kick.
Butcher digs a good body shot into Samuels's ribs.
Butcher wants to slow Samuels down by chopping away at his legs.
Butcher misses with a few strikes there.
Butcher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Samuels checks a low kick from Butcher.
Samuels walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Butcher throws a half hearted mid kick.
Butcher throws the kick towards the body but Samuels avoids it.
Samuels scores with a jab to the body.
Samuels swings for the body but Butcher moves out of range.
Butcher cracks Samuels with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Samuels takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Butcher feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Samuels's calf.
Butcher takes a swing at Samuels's ribcage but misses.
Samuels misses with a wild body shot.
Butcher throws a leg kick
and Samuels counters with a left to the body.
Butcher throws an overhand right that lands on Samuels's shoulder, as Samuels tries to avoid the shot.
Butcher cracks the inside of Samuels's front leg.
Butcher misses with a low kick.
Butcher moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Samuels fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Butcher pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Butcher. Samuels does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Butcher rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Samuels counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Butcher is looking to control Samuels's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Butcher avoid being mounted?
Samuels throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Butcher is pressing down on Samuels's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Butcher manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Samuels manages to get himself to full guard.
Butcher sitting in guard here, content to control.

Samuels is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Billy Butcher showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Butcher has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 48:47
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 48:47
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Billy Butcher!
Billy Butcher retains his middleweight title!