PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between David Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buzz Sawyer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paul comes into the arena with Lamb of God-Omerta blaring out of the sound system. Sawyer has chosen I Gotta Get Paid as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Paul
vs
Sawyer

190 cm
23
250 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

193 cm
23
282 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Poweful takedowns
Brawler
Good gas tank

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, David Paul!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Buzz Sawyer!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sawyer throws a head kick that misses.
Paul throws a series of punches but Sawyer avoids them all with ease.
Sawyer looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Paul is fending him off so far but Sawyer persists. Nope, Paul circles away and we're back to standing.
Paul throws a combination. Sawyer tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Buzz Sawyer has been cut.
A big left from Paul misses.
Paul slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paul throws a hook but Sawyer blocks it.

Sawyer shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Paul controls Sawyer momentarily but Sawyer frees himself.
Paul wants to stand but Sawyer is controlling the position.
Sawyer trying to move into half guard but instead Paul has managed to sweep!
Paul is looking to stand up but Sawyer won't let him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sawyer can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Paul controls the pace.
Paul trying to control but Sawyer is working from the bottom.
Paul wants to stand but Sawyer has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Paul avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Sawyer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sawyer manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Paul manages to get himself to full guard.
Sawyer tries to free his leg and advance position but Paul is retaining full guard.
Sawyer is working Paul over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Paul looking for a sweep. Not yet Paul, not yet.
Sawyer won't allow Paul to get back to his feet.
Sawyer wants to pass the guard but Paul is keeping the position.
Sawyer connects with a couple of short punches.
Sawyer wants to pass the guard but Paul is keeping the position.
Sawyer throws a big right hand that misses.
Sawyer looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paul looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Sawyer loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Paul is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Sawyer moves into full guard.
Sawyer is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Sawyer has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Paul can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Paul preventing the sweep.
Paul content to stall in guard here.
Paul has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sawyer wants to sweep here but Paul controlling him for the moment.
Sawyer is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Sawyer had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Paul is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Sawyer Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Paul's back instead.
Sawyer looks gassed!
Paul just trying to survive but Sawyer is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Paul looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
I really don't envy Paul right now.
Paul controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

Sawyer has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Paul has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Paul holding both Sawyer 's hands and preventing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Paul trying to control the hands but Sawyer won't let him.
Paul looking to control the position.
Paul turns into Sawyer and is now in his guard.

Sawyer had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Paul is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Sawyer Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Paul's back instead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sawyer thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Sawyer is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Paul is defending well though. Sawyer let's go of the attempt for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that David Paul will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Buzz Sawyer's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A combination from Sawyer does no damage.
Sawyer looks to land a combination but Paul avoids it well.
Paul throws a hook but Sawyer blocks it.
Sawyer tries for a takedown but Paul sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sawyer shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Paul pinned against the cage. Paul gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Sawyer feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Paul is on top in guard.
Paul is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Sawyer is working an open guard so Paul takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Paul throws a combination. Sawyer tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Sawyer is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sawyer gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Paul.
Horrible takedown by Sawyer or perhaps it was just good defense by Paul which made him look bad.
David Paul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buzz Sawyer.
A bone on bone clash there as Sawyer blocks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sawyer fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Paul misses with a jab, cross combination.
No joy there for Paul, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Paul misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sawyer slips a jab and a cross from Paul.
David Paul is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Sawyer feints and as Paul raises his hands in defense, Sawyer changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sawyer passes Paul's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Sawyer tries to pass the half guard into mount. Paul knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Sawyer thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Paul is looking to control Sawyer's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Paul avoid being mounted?

Paul manages to escape and get back to his feet!
A head kick misses from Paul.
David Paul is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Sawyer.

Sawyer feints and as Paul raises his hands in defense, Sawyer changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sawyer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Paul swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sawyer throws and elbow that misses. Paul uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sawyer's guard. Nice move by Paul!
Paul seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Sawyer is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Paul slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Paul wanted to stand there but Sawyer had control of the position.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Paul here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Paul gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Sawyer is looking for a triangle but Paul pushes his legs off easily.
Sawyer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Paul is one step ahead there.
Paul is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Sawyer wants to sweep but no luck.

Paul gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
A big left from Paul misses.
Paul misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sawyer shoots in for a double leg but Paul sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
David Paul is winning the standup battle so far.
Sawyer throws a sloppy head kick and Paul moves out of range easily.
Sawyer tries a head kick but it misses.
Paul paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Paul is looking to slow Sawyer down with leg kicks.
Paul misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sawyer slips under a jab from Paul.
Paul uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sawyer.
Paul misses with an uppercut.
Sawyer shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Paul as he jumps to the side.
A punch combination from Paul misses.
Buzz Sawyer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paul throws a head kick that half lands.
Sawyer misses with a looping right.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sawyer shoots in and bounces Paul off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Paul controls Sawyer momentarily but Sawyer frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Paul dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Buzz Sawyer's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sawyer looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Paul!

Sawyer working for a submission but Paul is keeping him at bay.
Paul keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Paul wants to get back to his feet.
Paul stops Sawyer from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sawyer throws some wild stikes that Paul manages to avoid easily.

Sawyer jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Paul manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Paul is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul wants to control but Sawyer postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Paul lands a head kick!
Sawyer shoots in and drives through. Paul sprawls well.
Nice jab there from Paul.
Paul goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Sawyer shoots in and drives through. Paul sprawls well.
Paul misses with a two punch combination.
Sawyer shoots in for a double leg but Paul sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
David Paul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buzz Sawyer.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paul scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Paul rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sawyer moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Donk. Paul catches Sawyer right on the button with a cross.
Sawyer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Paul misses the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Sawyer misses.
Sawyer fails with the takedown.
Paul connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sawyer will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sawyer uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Paul.
Sawyer throws a head kick but Paul moves out of range.
Paul lands with an overhand left.
Paul scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Sawyer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Paul.
Paul fails to land with a series of punches.
Sawyer throws a sloppy head kick and Paul moves out of range easily.
Paul lands a head kick. Sawyer smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Sawyer throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sawyer on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sawyer shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Paul but Paul pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sawyer shoots in for a double leg but Paul sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sawyer shoots for a double leg takedown but Paul sprawls well. He's pushed Sawyer's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sawyer takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Paul throws a jab but it's blocked by Sawyer.
Sawyer takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sawyer looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Paul missing with a left hand there. Sawyer was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sawyer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Paul throws a series of punches but Sawyer moves out of range.
Sawyer misses with a head kick.
A low kick from Sawyer misses
and Paul counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Sawyer shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Sawyer looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Paul is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

Sawyer moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Paul has worked his arm free - good work by Paul!
Paul manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer seems to be working for a kimura but Paul defends the submission attempt.

Sawyer is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Paul has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sawyer is working away from the top position though.
Sawyer prevents Paul from improving his position.
Sawyer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Paul defending well though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sawyer trying to pass the guard but Paul defending well.
Paul slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sawyer passes easily into side control. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Paul clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Buzz Sawyer's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sawyer shoots in for a takedown but Paul shows good takedown defense.
Sawyer takes a jab right on the kisser.
Sawyer throws a sloppy head kick and Paul moves out of range easily.
Paul moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Paul scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sawyer in his tracks.
Sawyer on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Paul lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Paul throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sawyer gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Sawyer slips a jab and a cross from Paul.
Paul is looking to slow Sawyer down with leg kicks.
Paul with a hook.
A jab from Paul misses.
Sawyer misses with a takedown attempt - Paul sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Paul scores with a jab.
Paul throws a leg kick which misses Sawyer's front leg but catches the back leg as Sawyer tries to avoid it.
Paul cracks Sawyer with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sawyer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Paul.
Sawyer has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Sawyer looks to throw a body kick
and Paul counters with a stiff right hand.

Sawyer shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Paul squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

Sawyer working for a submission but Paul is keeping him at bay.

Paul defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Sawyer.
Sawyer connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Paul tries to reverse the position but Sawyer maintains control.
Sawyer pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Paul wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Sawyer.
Paul is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Paul can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Sawyer looking to ground and pound but Paul is blocking nicely.
Paul keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Paul wants to hold on but Sawyer pushes him away.
Paul sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Sawyer is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Sawyer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Paul defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul is trying to maintain the position but Sawyer is very close to passing his half guard.
Paul tries to roll over but Sawyer keeps him under control.

Sawyer is trying to work for a kimura but Paul is defending well.
Paul is controlling Sawyer's trapped leg to prevent Sawyer from advancing to side control.
Sawyer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Paul controlling the position for now.
Sawyer is thwarting Paul's attempts to control the position.

That's four 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.
Sawyer throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sawyer trying to advance position but Paul counters by regaining guard.
Paul controlling Sawyer's posture.
Sawyer is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Paul is on top in guard.
Paul controlling from the top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sawyer wants to sweep here but Paul controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Paul had his way with Buzz Sawyer in that round.
The cut man is working on Buzz Sawyer's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Paul tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sawyer throws a sloppy head kick and Paul moves out of range easily.
Paul throws a right and a left that both miss.
Paul misses with a few strikes there.
Paul thows a left - swing and a miss!
Paul throws a series of punches but Sawyer avoids them all with ease.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sawyer.
Sawyer tries a head kick but it misses.
Sawyer closes the distance and clinches up with Paul, looking for a takedown. Sawyer pushes Paul against the cage but Paul circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sawyer sizes up Paul with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Sawyer scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sawyer working away.
Paul is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Paul is trying to control Sawyer's posture but Sawyer avoids it.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sawyer scores with punches from side control.

Sawyer is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Paul is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sawyer fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Sawyer with the ground and pound but Paul regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Paul is looking to escape.

Sawyer is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Paul doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sawyer.

Sawyer is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
David Paul is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sawyer is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Paul wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Paul is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Paul rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sawyer moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sawyer shoots in looking for a takedown. Paul tries to sprawl out of it but Sawyer keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Paul manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
David Paul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buzz Sawyer.
Paul connects with a looping right hand.

Sawyer gets the takedown into side control.
Paul is looking to regain half guard here but Sawyer keeps moving and retains side control.
Sawyer postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Sawyer.
Sawyer looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Paul is avoiding damage well.
Paul is looking for a sweep.

Sawyer tries for a kimura but Paul is defending well.
Paul pushes Sawyer away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Sawyer gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Paul manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Sawyer thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Paul's head.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sawyer changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Paul tries to avoid it but Sawyer manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Paul to the ground. Paul escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Paul moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Sawyer falls off balance throwing a combination
and Paul counters with a left and a right that stings Sawyer.
Paul lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Paul cracks Sawyer with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Paul duly obliges.
Paul swinging wilding here.
Paul lands with a hook. Sawyer tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Paul fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Sawyer drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Sawyer postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Paul is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Sawyer, into his guard.
Paul trying to control the position from guard on top but Sawyer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Buzz Sawyer has got the better of the ground game so far.

Paul gets to his feet. Sawyer looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Sawyer drops his hands momentarily and Paul takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Sawyer doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Paul cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Buzz Sawyer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A head kick misses from Sawyer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Buzz Sawyer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Paul 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 Suge Night scores the fight 49:47
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 49:46
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... David Paul!
David Paul is the new heavyweight champion!