PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Lavicci (ranked 2525 p4p, 3941 weight class) and Gregor Saabo (ranked 110 p4p, 151 weight class). Anthony Lavicci has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Lavicci
vs
Saabo

196 cm
20
280
2 - 1 - 0

203 cm
20
289
2 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Anthony Lavicci!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gregor Saabo!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Percy O'Donnell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saabo tries a head kick but it misses.

Lavicci closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Saabo quickly recovers to half guard.
Lavicci perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Lavicci moves into full mount! Saabo won't be happy about that!
Lavicci controlling the position easily from mount.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saabo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lavicci. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lavicci wants to take his opponent's back but Saabo doesn't allow it.
Lavicci tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two 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.

Lavicci jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Saabo manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Lavicci wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Saabo, who protects the arm well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saabo is letting Lavicci control him for a moment.
Saabo wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Saabo gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

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.
Lavicci content just to control the position here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Lavicci dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lavicci fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Saabo to the ground. Lavicci is now in Saabo's guard.
Lavicci pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saabo is keeping the position for now.
Lavicci forces his way into half guard.
Lavicci is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Saabo somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Gregor Saabo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saabo throws a head kick that misses.

Lavicci darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lavicci uses his free foot to push down on Saabo's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Saabo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavicci controlling the pace for now.
Anthony Lavicci overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lavicci seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Saabo for as long as he can get away with.
Lavicci is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Saabo is in real trouble.

That's two 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.
Lavicci really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Saabo.

Lavicci patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Lavicci has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Saabo! Can he survive? No! He's out! Lavicci gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Anthony Lavicci!