PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Luther Snyder (ranked 8651 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zack Swallow (ranked 5910 p4p, 0 weight class). Luther Snyder has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Snyder
vs
Swallow

215 cm
20
151 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

175 cm
24
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Luther Snyder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Zack Swallow!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Snyder misses with a two punch combination.
Snyder dodges the punch combination from Swallow.
Snyder digs a good body shot into Swallow's ribs.
Swallow fails in his attempt to clinch.
Snyder keeps the fight on the outside.
Swallow closes this distance looking for a takedown but Snyder circles away.
Snyder half committed to a counter leg kick.
Swallow tries a head kick but it misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Snyder misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Swallow darts in and clinches Snyder up against the cage.
Swallow misses with a punch to the body.
Snyder swings wildly with an uppercut but Swallow uses good head movement to avoid it.

Snyder has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Swallow regains guard immediately.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Snyder wants to stand but Swallow has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Snyder really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Swallow looking for a sweep. Not yet Swallow, not yet.

Swallow had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Snyder defends it easily.
Snyder wants to stand and escape but instead Swallow has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Swallow gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Swallow clinches.

Swallow manages to break the clinch.
Swallow throws a head kick that misses.
Snyder takes a swing at Swallow's ribcage but misses.
Swallow shoots in for a double leg but Snyder sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Snyder tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Swallow blocks a head kick by Snyder.
Swallow tries to counter with a clinch but Snyder shakes him off and moves away.
Swallow misses with a takedown attempt
and Snyder makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Luther Snyder has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zack Swallow.
Swallow tries to score a power double leg takedown but Snyder sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Swallow somewhat.
Swallow throws a head kick that misses.
Swallow tries to close the distance and clinch but Snyder swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Snyder swats away the attempt to clinch by Swallow.
Swallow tries to clinch but Snyder moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Snyder misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Swallow blocks a low kick nicely.
Snyder swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Snyder takes a swing at Swallow's ribcage but misses.
Swallow tries to counter with a clinch but Snyder shakes him off and moves away.
Nice uppercut lands for Swallow. That snapped Snyder's head back.
Swallow shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Snyder as he jumps to the side.
Snyder stuffs the takedown attempt from Swallow. Swallow gets slowly back to his feet.
Swallow looks winded!
Snyder misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Swallow only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Swallow shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Snyder but Snyder pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Snyder instigates a clinch.

Swallow breaks the clinch.

Swallow closes the distance and pushes Snyder back into the cage.

Swallow ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Swallow no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Snyder scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Snyder keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Swallow's head.
Snyder is in close to Swallow's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Swallow throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Snyder throws a big right hand that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Swallow is looking to stand up but Snyder isn't so interested in that idea.
Snyder postures up and lands a big shot to Swallow's brow.
Snyder lands a couple of digs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luther Snyder dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Swallow throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Swallow shoots in for a double leg but Snyder sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Snyder throws a body punch but Swallow moves out of range.
Swallow swats away the attempt to clinch by Snyder.
Swallow will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Swallow looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Luther Snyder has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zack Swallow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Snyder pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Swallow looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Swallow shoots in and drives through. Snyder sprawls well.
Swallow is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swallow fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Luther Snyder is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Snyder throws a push kick but Swallow slaps the foot to one side.
Swallow is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Snyder has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Snyder throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Snyder plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Snyder misses with a body kick.

Snyder has Swallow up against the cage in a clinch.
Swallow gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Snyder.
Snyder goes for a takedown in the clinch but Swallow prevents it.
Swallow lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Snyder drops down looking for an ankle pick but Swallow pulls his leg out and moves away.
Snyder is looking to wear down Swallow with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Swallow throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Snyder throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Swallow dives in for a single leg takedown but Snyder sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A clash of legs there as Snyder blocks the low kick.
A head kick misses from Swallow.
Swallow fails with the takedown
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
and Snyder counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Snyder tries to bum rush Swallow with a series of wild strikes but Swallow uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Swallow moves out of range of the body kick.
A head kick by Swallow misses
and Snyder counters with a left and a right that stings Swallow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Snyder tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Swallow was well out of range. Poor timing from Snyder.
Snyder circles away from the clinch attempt.
Snyder was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Swallow moves out of range of the body kick.
Snyder throws a series of punches but Swallow moves out of range.
Swallow throws a counter combo.
Snyder fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Swallow manages to avoid it.
Swallow shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Snyder as he avoids it easily.
Snyder throws a body punch but Swallow moves out of range.
Snyder throws a body shot but no joy.
Snyder tries to land a front kick but Swallow steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Snyder throws a right and a left that both miss.
Snyder circles away from the clinch attempt.
Snyder throws a counter high kick but Swallow was just alert enough to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Snyder connects with a body shot that sends Swallow's belly button to the back.
Snyder misses the shot to the body.
Swallow tries to clinch there but Snyder circles away.
Swallow misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Snyder throws a body shot but no joy.
Swallow has his takedown stuffed
and Snyder counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Swallow changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Snyder tries to avoid it but Swallow manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Snyder to the ground. Snyder escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Snyder has closed the distance and engaged Swallow in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luther Snyder 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. This is the final round!

Snyder throws the kick towards the body but Swallow avoids it.

Swallow rushes Snyder and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Swallow is pressed up against the cage. Snyder has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Swallow down to the mat. Swallow avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Swallow throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Swallow shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Snyder but Snyder pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Snyder misses with a double jab.
Swallow with a poor takedown
and Snyder counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Snyder sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Zack Swallow seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Swallow takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Snyder uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Swallow has time to react.
Swallow shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Luther Snyder has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zack Swallow.
Snyder looks for the body kick but Swallow saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Snyder misses with a jab, cross combination.
Swallow misses with a takedown attempt
and Snyder counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Snyder throws a body punch but Swallow moves out of range.
Snyder is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Swallow can do to turn this around?
Snyder throws a head kick but Swallow moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Snyder. No joy for Swallow on that attempt.

Snyder moves into range and clinches up with Swallow.
Snyder is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Swallow is defending well.
Snyder wants a takedown but no success here.
Swallow is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Snyder jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Swallow walks away with a smile on his face. Snyder gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swallow shoots in but no luck this time.

Snyder rushes Swallow and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Snyder wants a takedown but no success here.
Swallow lands an elbow just above Snyder 's eye.
Snyder drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Swallow gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Swallow pulls guard successfully.

Swallow has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Snyder can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Snyder trying to stand up but can't free himself from Swallow's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swallow not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Swallow striking off his back but it's not causing Snyder any problems.
Swallow wants to stand but Snyder is controlling the position.
Snyder has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Swallow is proving hard to escape from.

Snyder decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Swallow, up you get!

Snyder closes the distance and pushes Swallow back into the cage.
Snyder fails to pull guard.

Swallow breaks from the clinch.
Swallow tries for a takedown but Snyder circles away easily
and Snyder counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Swallow thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Swallow uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Snyder.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Swallow is defended easily by Snyder.
A looping hook to the body misses from Snyder. Swallow does a little dance to reset his feet.
Swallow shoots in but no luck this time.

Snyder closes the distance and pushes Swallow back into the cage.
Zack Swallow seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Swallow is trying to drag Snyder to the mat but Snyder just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Snyder jumps guard but Swallow stands there with Snyder around his waist. Snyder gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luther Snyder showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Snyder, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luther Snyder!