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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Max Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samson Savea (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.
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| 195 cm
27
263 lbs
7 - 2 - 0 |
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205 cm
28
257 lbs
11 - 10 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Very quick |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful |
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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
7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Max Matthews!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Samson Savea!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Stewart Dunkirk and George Francis.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthews has his takedown stuffed
and Savea counters with a right hand to the body.
Matthews tries to keep at a distance but Savea has taken the fight into the clinch.
Savea wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Savea stops a takedown attempt from Matthews.
Matthews is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Savea is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matthews drops down looking for an ankle pick but Savea pulls his leg out and moves away.
Matthews doesn't manage to clinch there - Savea circles away.
Matthews gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Savea counters with a crisp one two that drops Matthews! Savea thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Matthews to his feet! Matthews is in big trouble!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Savea misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Savea moves into the clinch.
Savea pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews tries for a takedown but Savea sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Savea rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matthews moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Savea looks to land a right hand but Matthews moved out of range.
Matthews has taken the fight to the clinch.
Matthews has picked Savea up - he's going for a ride! Matthews dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Savea tries to kick Matthews off but Matthews keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matthews is nestled in close to Savea, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Matthews throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Matthews is looking for a kimura but Savea is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Matthews to get the leverage.
Savea really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Matthews. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Matthews missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Matthews seems to be working for a kimura but Savea defends the submission attempt.
Matthews sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Savea defending well though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matthews winds up and cracks Savea with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Matthews sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Savea defending well though.
Savea looks like he's trying to stand up.
Savea is staying active underneath Matthews, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Matthews missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Matthews with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Savea tries to get to full guard but Matthews has control of the leg.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews is working for a submission of some sort.
Savea looks like he's trying to stand up.
Still in half guard, Matthews seems content to control.
Matthews working over Savea with some ground and pound. Savea looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Matthews tries to pass to full mount but Savea defends it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Savea does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Matthews trying to pass the guard but Savea defending well.
Savea avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Matthews.
Matthews has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Matthews not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Matthews winds up and cracks Savea with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Matthews is working for a kimura here but Savea manages to reverse the position and he's now in Matthews's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Savea has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Matthews is proving hard to escape from.
Savea wants to control from the top but Matthews keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Samson Savea will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!
Savea gets caught flat footed, as Matthews shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Matthews trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Matthews stops Savea from standing up.
Matthews stands up from Savea's guard - Matthews perhaps looking for a knockout.
Good shot there by Savea.
Matthews checks a low kick from Savea.
Matthews clinches up with Savea and pushes him back against the cage.
Matthews wants a takedown but no success here.
Matthews is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Savea gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Matthews.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matthews jumps guard but Savea turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Savea is trying to push Matthews away but Matthews has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Matthews wants a takedown but no success here.
Matthews breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Samson Savea seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matthews looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Matthews wants to pass the guard but Savea is defending well.
Savea tries to kick Matthews off but Matthews keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Savea is refusing to be controlled, as Matthews sits in half guard.
Savea looks like he's trying to stand up.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews trying to mount his opponent but Savea defends it.
Max Matthews overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Matthews not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Matthews thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Matthews looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Matthews lands a nice short elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matthews wants to control but Savea is keeping him busy.
Matthews is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Savea as he works his way to full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savea keeping moving, preventing Matthews from controlling successfully.
Matthews is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Matthews throws a strike but Savea rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Savea is looking to pass into half guard but Matthews pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Matthews is in guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savea keeping moving, preventing Matthews from controlling successfully.
Matthews throwing strikes but missing.
Matthews keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Savea's head.
Matthews throws a big elbow that misses.
Matthews working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matthews pushing down on Savea's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savea is staying active underneath Matthews, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Matthews keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Max Matthews dominated that second 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.
Matthews scores with a crisp jab that stopped Savea in his tracks.
Savea misses with a head kick.
Savea drives through and clinches with Matthews against the cage.
Savea wants to get back to striking at distance but Matthews won't allow it.
Savea lands with a left to the head.
Matthews looking for a takedown.
Savea wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Matthews has him pressed against the cage.
Matthews tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Savea just stands there and leans against the cage.
Matthews has clasped his hands together around Savea's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Matthews lands an elbow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matthews throws a strike aimed at the side of Savea's head but Savea avoids it well.
Savea is trying to get back to his feet.
Savea taking punishment in the form of punches.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews is looking to take a break and control but Savea is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Savea wants to get back to his feet but Matthews drags him back down.
Savea takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matthews laying and praying for a moment but Savea takes advantage and regains half guard.
Matthews throwing shots but Savea is blocking nicely.
Matthews keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Savea wants to get back to his feet.
Matthews wants to lay and pray for a moment but Savea keeps working.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Savea has recovered full guard.
Savea keeping full guard, as Matthews tries to pass.
Matthews looking to sit in guard and control but Savea gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Savea trying to control the position from guard on top but Matthews is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savea wants to pass the guard but Matthews is keeping the position.
Matthews has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Savea off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Max Matthews is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Matthews fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Matthews. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Savea misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Matthews closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Savea quickly recovers to half guard.
Matthews is looking for a kimura but Savea is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Matthews to get the leverage.
Matthews passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Savea!
Matthews tries to control but Savea wriggling away.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savea blocking the ground and pound.
Savea squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Matthews unloading with bombs!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Savea is squirming around, avoiding Matthews's attempts to control the action.
Matthews working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Matthews lands a big shot there that rocks Savea but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Savea is rocked!
Matthews is giving the impression that he's looking to ground and pound but he switches suddenly into a beautiful far side armbar! Savea is forced to tap! Great finish!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Max Matthews!
Max Matthews retains his heavyweight title!
Our winner, Max Matthews, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
60% |
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