PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sava Savov (ranked 3243 p4p, 188 weight class) and Friedrich Schneider (ranked 3337 p4p, 193 weight class). Sava Savov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Savov
vs
Schneider

164 cm
23
134 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

162 cm
25
138 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Can Moonwalk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sava Savov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Friedrich Schneider!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, George Francis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Schneider fails with a takedown attempt.
Schneider shoots in for a double leg but Savov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A head kick from Savov lands but Schneider takes it in his stride.

Savov gets a clinch.

Savov pulls Schneider into guard.
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.
Savov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Schneider is controlling him.

Savov has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Schneider is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Savov.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schneider prevents Savov from escaping the position.
Schneider wants to lay and pray for a moment but Savov keeps working.
Savov wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savov struggling a bit here.
A lull in the action here.
Savov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Schneider's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Schneider is thwarting Savov's attempts to control the position.
Schneider tries to pass to full mount but Savov defends it.
Schneider trying to control the action but Savov is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Savov has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Schneider is on him like a limpet, forcing Savov back against the cage.

Savov gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Schneider regains guard.
Savov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Savov landing with the ground and pound.
Savov throws a strike but Schneider rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Savov keeping full guard, as Schneider tries to pass.
Schneider told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

Savov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Schneider trying to control but Savov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schneider might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Savov haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Savov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Savov keeping moving, preventing Schneider from controlling successfully.
Savov trying to control the position.

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.

Savov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Schneider is aware though and is defending well.
Schneider showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Savov rushes Schneider and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Savov slowing the pace effectively.

Savov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Schneider fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sava Savov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Friedrich Schneider.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Schneider fails with the takedown
and Savov counters with a two punch combo.
Schneider shoots in for a takedown but Savov shows good takedown defense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Schneider moves into the clinch.
Schneider is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Savov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Schneider tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Savov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Savov landing knees to the body.

Savov manages to break the clinch.
Savov scoring well with a low kick there.

Savov pushes Schneider up against the cage in a clinch.
Savov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Schneider up against the cage.

Savov gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Schneider kicks Savov off and gets back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Savov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Schneider is trying to improve his position.
Schneider is breathing heavily.
Savov controlling from side mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schneider can't do much from the bottom here.
Savov controlling the position.
Savov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Schneider can do to turn this around?

Savov stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Schneider fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Savov sprawls well initially but Schneider persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savov trying to hold on to Schneider's head to control him but Schneider postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savov is trying to get back to full guard.

Schneider looking for a submission but Savov manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Schneider stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Savov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Schneider preventing the sweep.
Savov is trying to keep Schneider in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Savov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Savov.
Schneider has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Savov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
I was talking to Savov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Sava Savov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Friedrich Schneider.

Savov jumps guard.
Savov trying to keep a closed guard but Schneider is proving a slippery customer.
Savov has his hands on Schneider's head, controlling the position.

Savov has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Schneider is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savov landing knees to the body.
Savov landing knees to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Savov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Savov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Schneider preventing the sweep.
Savov is pulling down on Schneider's head. It's preventing any offense from Schneider, at least for the moment.
Savov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Savov with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Schneider can't handle though.
Schneider's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Savov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Schneider gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Savov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sava Savov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Savov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Schneider manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Savov clinches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Savov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A knee to the head by Savov.

Schneider is rocked!

It looks like Friedrich Schneider has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Savov lands a big knee to the head and Schneider goes down! Savov pounces and finishes the fight with strikes! He jumps to his feet and celebrates with the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:49 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Sava Savov!
During a confident post fight interview, Sava Savov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.