PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aurturo Gatti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Serge Savard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Savard has chosen Voivod- Tribal convictions as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Gatti
vs
Savard

189 cm
25
225 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

191 cm
20
222 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aurturo Gatti!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Serge Savard!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Yves DeLean and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gatti displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Savard.
Savard leaves Gatti with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gatti misses with a combination
and Savard counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Gatti misses with a takedown
and Savard counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Gatti shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Savard counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aurturo Gatti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Savard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gatti swivels though and keeps the full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Savard postures up.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A head kick from Savard lands but Gatti takes it in his stride.
Crunch! Savard slams his shin into Gatti's torso.
Gatti shoots in and drives through. Savard sprawls well.
Savard throws a sloppy head kick

so Gatti counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Gatti stays in close to Savard's body and controls the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gatti wants to control from the top but Savard keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

We're going to have a standup here because Aurturo Gatti wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Gatti blocks a head kick by Savard.
Savard feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gatti's calf.
Savard throws a sloppy head kick and Gatti moves out of range easily.
Serge Savard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Savard throws a nice head kick!
Savard throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gatti.
Savard throws a nice outside leg kick.
Savard tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gatti takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Gatti is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savard throws a head kick that half lands.
Savard blocks a jab.
Savard fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gatti has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Horrible takedown by Savard or perhaps it was just good defense by Gatti which made him look bad.

Savard clinches up against the cage.

Savard breaks from the clinch.
Savard throws a nice inside leg kick.
Savard throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gatti.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gatti takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Gatti crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Savard - the referee stops the clock and Gatti gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Savard. Gatti manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A head kick misses from Savard.

Gatti gets caught napping as Savard dives in and scores a takedown. Gatti manages to retain guard.

Savard decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Gatti, up you get!
Savard lands a high kick!
Savard scores with a head kick.
Savard throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gatti.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Savard throws a head kick but Gatti moves out of range.
Savard lands a high kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Serge Savard dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Savard lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Gatti tries for a takedown but Savard sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Aurturo Gatti is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Savard scores with a head kick.
Gatti avoids the head kick by Savard.
A head kick misses from Savard.
Savard throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Gatti takes a kick to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gatti avoids the head kick by Savard.
Savard scores with a head kick. Gatti tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gatti avoids the head kick by Savard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Gatti as Savard shoots in.
Gatti avoids the head kick by Savard.
Savard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gatti shoots in for a double leg but Savard sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Savard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gatti avoids the head kick by Savard.
Savard plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Savard lands a head kick!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gatti.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aurturo Gatti. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Savard throws a nice head kick!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head kick misses from Savard.
Savard lands with a kick to the temple. Gatti shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Savard tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice takedown defense from Savard. No joy for Gatti on that attempt.
Savard lands a head kick. Gatti smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Savard misses with a head kick.
Savard scores with a head kick.

Savard moves into the clinch.
Gatti is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Savard is defending well.
Gatti has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Savard avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Come on Savard - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Gatti is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Savard gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gatti will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Savard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Savard scores with a head kick. Gatti tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Savard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Savard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gatti fails to land the takedown.
Savard lands a head kick!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gatti is defended easily by Savard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Serge Savard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gatti defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Savard.
Gatti with a lazy takedown attempt
and Savard counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Gatti is lucky that one didn't land flush.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gatti tries to score a body lock takedown but Savard shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Savard is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aurturo Gatti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gatti is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gatti is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Savard is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savard manages to break the clinch.

Savard closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Savard lands in his opponent's guard.

Savard decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Gatti, up you get!
A head kick misses from Savard.
Gatti takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savard throws a head kick that misses.
Savard thuds his shin into the meat of Gatti's side.
Savard throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Gatti's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Savard shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gatti defends it nicely.
Savard throws a nice outside leg kick.

Savard moves into the clinch.
Gatti can't get the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatti has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Savard avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Savard manages to break the clinch.
Savard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Serge Savard seems to be getting the better of the standup.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Gatti enables Savard to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Gatti manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Savard gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
A head kick from Savard lands but Gatti takes it in his stride.
Savard keeps Gatti at a distance using the push kick.
Savard explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Savard pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savard misses with a head kick.
Savard lands with a kick to the temple. Gatti shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Savard connects with a high kick.
Savard fakes the leg kick and cracks Gatti in the body.

Savard shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gatti is trying to defend but Savard finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Savard postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Gatti to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Serge Savard really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Savard lands a high kick!
Savard tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Savard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gatti tries for a takedown but Savard sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gatti takes a kick to the side of the head.
Gatti with a poor takedown
and Savard counters with a big head kick but Gatti shrugs it off.
Both fighters circling a little - Savard finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Savard throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Gatti's head.
Savard has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gatti has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Savard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savard lets loose with a powerful body kick. Gatti will feel that in the morning.
Savard lands a head kick. Gatti smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Savard connects with a solid leg kick.
Savard lands a head kick. Gatti smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Savard keeps Gatti at a distance using the push kick.
Savard throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Gatti's head.

Savard clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gatti avoiding damage as Savard throws knees to the body.
Gatti wants to take the fight to the mat but Savard manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aurturo Gatti. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savard tries to land a knee to the head but Gatti blocks with his arms.

Savard breaks from the clinch.
Savard lands a head kick!
Savard throws a sloppy head kick and Gatti moves out of range easily.
Savard scores with a kick to the body.
Savard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Savard misses with a head kick.
Savard lands a head kick. Gatti smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savard goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A solid body kick from Savard.
Gatti takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Savard lands a high kick!
Savard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Savard tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Savard throws a head kick but Gatti moves out of range.
Gatti takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gatti fails with a takedown attempt.
Savard lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Savard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Savard throws a head kick that Gatti semi-blocks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Savard throws a head kick that misses.
Gatti avoids the head kick by Savard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Serge Savard dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Gatti's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gatti shoots in and drives through. Savard sprawls well.
Savard shoots in and drives through. Gatti sprawls well.
Savard lands a head kick. Gatti smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Gatti avoids the head kick by Savard.
Savard lands a high kick!
Savard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Savard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gatti tries for a takedown but Savard sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Savard shoots for a takedown but Gatti saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Savard is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savard digs a good hook to Gatti's body.
A solid body kick from Savard.
Gatti misses with a wild combination.
Gatti takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Nice sprawl there from Gatti as Savard shoots in.
Aurturo Gatti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Serge Savard.
Savard tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Savard lands with a kick to the temple. Gatti shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Savard tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savard throws a sloppy head kick and Gatti moves out of range easily.

Savard gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gatti to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Savard manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gatti manages to get himself to full guard.
Serge Savard has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gatti has a closed guard, preventing Savard from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gatti swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Aurturo Gatti just wasn't active enough.
Savard throws a head kick but Gatti moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Savard tries a head kick but it misses.
Savard throws a head kick that misses.
Gatti fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Savard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Aurturo Gatti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Savard tries to clinch up.
Gatti fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Serge Savard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Savard has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 William Peck scores the fight 44:50
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 44:50
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Serge Savard! Serge Savard retains his heavyweight title!