PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kha Ri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arnaud Savage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ri comes to the cage accompanied by . Savage has chosen BLUNT- as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Ri
vs
Savage

177 cm
30
194 lbs
18 - 6 - 0

185 cm
29
193 lbs
13 - 4 - 2

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Australian Xtreme - All 159 Video Proof.
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Australian Xtreme - All 159 Video Proof.

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 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kha Ri!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 2, fighting out of Sydney, Arnaud Savage!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Eliza Hachem and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ri misses with a body shot.
Savage moves out of range of the body kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ri.
Ri is looking to slow Savage down with leg kicks.
Ri misses with a kick to the body.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Ri.
Savage throws a leg kick but Ri sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ri looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ri looks for the body kick but Savage saw that one coming.
Savage dives in and grabs Ri's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ri pushes down on Savage's head and hops out.
Ri misses with a head kick.
Ri looks to throw the jab but Savage is out of range.
Ri's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Ri duly obliges.
Ri lands with a good body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ri.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ri throws a lazy uppercut
and Savage counters with a body kick that stops Ri in his tracks momentarily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Savage.
Savage throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Ri's head.
Savage misses with a kick to the body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Savage 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 Ri has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ri and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Ri throws a looping overhand right but Savage ducks down to avoid it.
Savage throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ri.
Kha Ri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
An inside leg kick from Savage misses.
Ri swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Savage keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Savage bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Savage tries to land a leg kick but Ri saw it coming and moves away.
Ri throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ri looks to throw the jab but Savage is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ri swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ri throws a series of punches but Savage avoids them all with ease.
Savage uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ri.
Savage tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ri is able to avoid easily.
Ri throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Savage fakes the leg kick and cracks Ri in the body.
Kha Ri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A leg kick checked by Ri.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ri lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Savage circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice body kick there by Savage.
Ri leaves Savage with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A combination from Ri does no damage.
Savage avoids the body shot from Ri.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ri as he avoids it easily.
Kha Ri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arnaud Savage.
Ri lands a body shot.
Savage lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ri's sensitive parts.
Savage moves out of range of the leg kick from Ri.
Ri is looking to wear down Savage with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Ri misses with a right hand
and Savage counters with a nice leg kick.
Ri throws a hook but Savage avoids it easily.
Savage throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Savage fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ri has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ri checks the leg kick.
Ri scores with a kick to the midsection.
A lazy body kick from Ri
and Savage counters with an outside leg kick.
Ri misses with a low kick.
Savage lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ri throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A left lands for Ri.
Savage uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ri.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Savage misses with a low kick.
Ri moves out of range of the body kick.
Ri thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Savage if he has to take too many more of those.
Ri tried to score with a low kick but Savage checks it.
Ri swings for the body but Savage moves out of range.
Ri swings away with a body shot that misses
and Savage counters with a slapping leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ri on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Savage blocks a jab.
Savage tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kha Ri dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ri lands with a good body shot.
Ri checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ri. Savage does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kha Ri is winning the standup battle so far.
Ri misses with a kick to the body

and Savage counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Savage.
Savage slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Savage looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Savage trying to control the position but Ri is working away.

Savage goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Ri has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Savage but great work by Ri.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage tries to buck Ri off but Ri is having none of it.
Ri wants to control but Savage is keeping him busy.
Savage tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ri wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Savage tries to control but Ri manages to take his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ri is looking to control Savage but Savage is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Savage tries to escape but Ri has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Savage staying busy and making it hard for Ri to control.
Ri keeps control of the position easily here as Savage tries to buck him off.
Savage can't escape the position.
Ri lands a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ri has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Savage.
Savage tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Savage is desperately trying to improve his position but Ri has a good base and remains in mount.
Savage is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ri takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Savage is trying to escape the mount.
Ri scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Savage?
Ri controlling the pace for now.
Savage tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage regains half guard.
Savage is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Ri jumps into side control!
Savage sneaks back into half guard.
Savage tries to roll over but Ri keeps him under control.
Ri is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Savage wants to get back to full guard.
Ri controlling the action here.
Arnaud Savage has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Savage looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ri wants to control but Savage is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kha Ri just wasn't active enough.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ri.
Ri cracks Savage with a good 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!
Savage shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Crunch! Ri slams his shin into Savage's torso.
Ri tries to land a front kick but Savage steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Savage.
Ri throws a hook but Savage avoids it easily.
Ri throws a body kick the misses
and Savage counters with a slapping leg kick.
Ri misses with a lunging right hand
and Savage counters with a nice kick to the body.
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 Kha Ri will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Savage has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Savage is defended easily by Ri.
Good leg kick by Savage there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Jab by Ri.
Savage uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ri.
Savage slips a straight right by Ri.
Ri avoids a kick to the body.
Ri pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ri misses with a hook. Savage ducked under it nicely.
Ri misses the jab.
Ri scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ri is looking to land body kicks.
Savage fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ri.
Ri misses with a head kick.
Ri throws a head kick but Savage moves out of range.
Ri throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ri lands a jab to Savage's midsection.
Savage slips under a jab.
Savage shoots in for a double leg but Ri sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ri is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ri misses with a hook.
Savage takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Savage keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ri moves out of range of the body kick from Savage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ri misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Savage with a hook.
Ri tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Savage scores with a head kick. Ri tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Ri goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ri misses with a lunging right hand
and Savage counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Ri displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Savage.
Kha Ri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arnaud Savage.
Ri throws a hook but Savage blocks it.
Ri misses with a body kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ri looks for the body kick but Savage saw that one coming.
The fighters circling - Ri throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crunch! Savage slams his shin into Ri's torso.
Ri swings for the body but Savage moves out of range.
Ri lands a jab to the head.
Ri throws a front kick aimed at Savage's knee but Savage avoids it well.
Savage moves out of range of the body kick.
Savage tried to score with a low kick but Ri checks it.
Savage doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Ri. That snapped Savage's head back.
Ri misses with an uppercut
and Savage counters with a leg kick.
Ri scores with a leg kick.
Ri connects with a body shot.
Ri swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savage throws a solid leg kick but Ri takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Savage.
Ri misses with a head kick.
Savage throws a head kick but Ri moves out of range.
Ri fakes the leg kick and cracks Savage in the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Savage throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Savage is looking to land body kicks.
Ri waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Savage.
Ri just misses with a punch to the body.
Ri 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A big left from Ri misses.
That kick from Savage tenderised Ri's leg. Ri is trying to keep his angry face on.
Savage tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kha Ri clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A big left from Ri misses.
Ri avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Ri takes a swing at Savage's ribcage but misses.
Savage gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ri throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A thudding body kick lands there by Ri!
Savage throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ri throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Savage makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Savage looks to land a body kick but Ri moved away.
Ri swings and misses with a hook to the body.
That kick from Ri tenderised Savage's leg. Savage is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ri explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Savage takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ri throws a low kick, looking for Savage's leg but Savage calmly moves out of range.
Ri throws a jab when Savage was well out of range.
Savage fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ri has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ri throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Savage is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Ri throws a lazy uppercut

and Savage counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ri's guard now.
Savage looking to sit in guard and control but Ri gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ri won't allow Savage to sweep him here.
Ri controlling from the top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savage keeping moving, preventing Ri from controlling successfully.
Ri sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Savage's guard.
Savage is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ri's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ri's back!
Savage biding his time, controlling Ri.
Ri breaks Savage's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Savage is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ri showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Savage keeping moving, preventing Ri from controlling successfully.

Savage is looking for a triangle here but Ri uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Savage is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ri's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Savage has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Ri escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Ri!
Ri scoring with punches from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ri is staying tight to Savage's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Savage is trying to improve his position.
Savage is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Ri is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Ri prevents Savage from getting the reversal.
Ri controlling the pace for now.
Ri with good strikes from the mount here!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Savage tries to lock up and control but Ri gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ri scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ri cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Ri looking to control but Savage is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ri cracks Savage with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kha Ri had his way with Arnaud Savage in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Good leg kick by Ri there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ri throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ri ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Savage moves away.
Ri throws a right and a left that both miss.
Savage throws a solid leg kick but Ri takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Savage.
Ri uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Savage has time to react.
Savage lands a lovely overhand right.
Ri throws out a powerful jab.
Savage tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ri is able to avoid easily.
Savage avoids a punch combination nicely.
Savage slips under a jab from Ri.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ri throws a leg kick which misses Savage's front leg but catches the back leg as Savage tries to avoid it.
Ri rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Savage moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Ri - that will leave a mark!
Ri looks to throw a body kick
and Savage counters with a thumping low kick.
Ri looks to throw a body kick
and Savage counters with an inside leg kick.
Savage misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ri with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Savage slips a jab and a cross from Ri.
Savage moves out of range of the body kick.
Savage moves out of range of the body kick from Ri.

Ri gets caught flat footed, as Savage shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kha Ri is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ri is trying to control the position but Savage postures up.
Ri is pulling down on Savage's head. It's preventing any offense from Savage, at least for the moment.
Savage looking to pass the guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ri is pulling down on Savage's head. It's preventing any offense from Savage, at least for the moment.

We're going to have a standup here because Kha Ri wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Savage throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ri.
Savage throws out a leg kick but Ri moves out of range and Savage only half commits.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ri.
Ri scores with a jab to the body.
Savage tries to land a leg kick but Ri saw it coming and moves away.
Savage scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Arnaud Savage has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ri throws a right and a left that both miss.
A head kick misses from Ri.
Ri catches Savage with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ri misses with a straight left.
Ri just misses with a punch to the body.
Ri connects with a nice looking jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Savage is predictable there
and Ri counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ri scores with a jab to the body.
Ri swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A head kick misses from Savage.
Savage has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ri finds it's way round the side to connect with Savage's head.
Ri fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Savage looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ri displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Savage.
Savage is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Savage fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ri checks it well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Savage takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ri lands with a nice body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kha Ri showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ri 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 50:45
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 50:45
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kha Ri!
Kha Ri retains his middleweight title!
Kha Ri made sure to mention his sponsor, Australian Xtreme - All 159 Video Proof. in his post fight interview.