PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between George Sotiropoulos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roman Savchuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Sotiropoulos
vs
Savchuk

178 cm
18
158 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
24
150 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, George Sotiropoulos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Roman Savchuk!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sotiropoulos stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sotiropoulos wants it to stay on the feet.
Savchuk fails with a takedown attempt.

Sotiropoulos gets caught napping as Savchuk dives in and scores a takedown. Sotiropoulos manages to retain guard.
Sotiropoulos working a defensive guard here.
Sotiropoulos looking to hit a scissor sweep but Savchuk is one step ahead there.
Savchuk won't allow Sotiropoulos to get back to his feet.
Savchuk must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Savchuk's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sotiropoulos looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Sotiropoulos 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because George Sotiropoulos just wasn't active enough.
Savchuk shoots in but Sotiropoulos avoids the takedown attempt easily.
George Sotiropoulos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roman Savchuk.
Sotiropoulos misses with a low kick as Savchuk jumps back.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Sotiropoulos enables Savchuk to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Sotiropoulos manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Sotiropoulos wants to stand but Savchuk is controlling the position.
Sotiropoulos being controlled here, momentarily.
Sotiropoulos wants to sweep here but Savchuk controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sotiropoulos has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Savchuk off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Savchuk shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sotiropoulos manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sotiropoulos had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Savchuk defends it easily.
Savchuk slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sotiropoulos is trying to control the position but Savchuk postures up.
Sotiropoulos can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Savchuk controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos wants to sweep but no luck.
Savchuk not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. George Sotiropoulos wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sotiropoulos stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sotiropoulos wants it to stay on the feet.

Savchuk shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Savchuk stays in close to Sotiropoulos's body and controls the position.
Savchuk is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Sotiropoulos looking for a sweep. Not yet Sotiropoulos, not yet.
Savchuk sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Sotiropoulos seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Savchuk shoots in for a double leg but Sotiropoulos sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sotiropoulos tries to clinch up but Savchuk circles away and keeps his distance.
Sotiropoulos pivots, looking for a leg kick but Savchuk is out of range and Sotiropoulos settles back down.
Savchuk looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sotiropoulos is fending him off so far but Savchuk persists. Nope, Sotiropoulos circles away and we're back to standing.
Savchuk shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sotiropoulos defends it nicely.
Savchuk looks gassed!
Sotiropoulos throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
No luck for Savchuk with that takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Savchuk dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Savchuk shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sotiropoulos as he jumps to the side.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sotiropoulos.
Savchuk shoots for a takedown but Sotiropoulos saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Savchuk fails to land the takedown.
George Sotiropoulos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roman Savchuk.
Sotiropoulos fails with a takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown by Savchuk or perhaps it was just good defense by Sotiropoulos which made him look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Savchuk.
Savchuk is breathing heavily.
Savchuk shoots in for a takedown but Sotiropoulos shows good takedown defense.
Sotiropoulos dives in and grabs Savchuk's left leg, looking for a takedown. Savchuk pushes down on Sotiropoulos's head and hops out.
Sotiropoulos throws a low kick but Savchuk moves out of range easily.
Horrible takedown by Savchuk or perhaps it was just good defense by Sotiropoulos which made him look bad.
Sotiropoulos ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Savchuk moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Sotiropoulos. No joy for Savchuk on that attempt.
Savchuk displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sotiropoulos.
Horrible takedown by Sotiropoulos or perhaps it was just good defense by Savchuk which made him look bad.
Sotiropoulos doesn't manage to clinch there - Savchuk circles away.
Savchuk tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sotiropoulos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Savchuk somewhat.
Savchuk shoots in for a takedown but Sotiropoulos shows good takedown defense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Savchuk.
Sotiropoulos tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Savchuk paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Savchuk closes the distance and clinches up with Sotiropoulos, looking for a takedown. Savchuk pushes Sotiropoulos against the cage but Sotiropoulos circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sotiropoulos looks to land a combination but Savchuk avoids it well.

Sotiropoulos shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Savchuk is trying to defend but Sotiropoulos finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Sotiropoulos seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos trying to mount his opponent but Savchuk defends it.
Savchuk is not content to let Sotiropoulos control the position.
Sotiropoulos is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Savchuk reverses the position - he's now on top in Sotiropoulos's guard.
Savchuk not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Sotiropoulos 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!

Savchuk shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sotiropoulos pinned against the cage. Sotiropoulos gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sotiropoulos shoots in for a takedown but Savchuk shows good takedown defense.
Savchuk shoots for a takedown but Sotiropoulos saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Horrible takedown by Sotiropoulos or perhaps it was just good defense by Savchuk which made him look bad.
Sotiropoulos shoots for a double leg takedown but Savchuk sprawls well. He's pushed Sotiropoulos's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for George Sotiropoulos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sotiropoulos shoots for a takedown but Savchuk saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Savchuk clinches.
Sotiropoulos is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Savchuk gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Savchuk works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Sotiropoulos is trying to keep Savchuk in close.
Sotiropoulos can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Savchuk controls the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savchuk takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Roman Savchuk.
Savchuk stuffs the takedown attempt from Sotiropoulos. Sotiropoulos gets slowly back to his feet.
Savchuk changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sotiropoulos tries to avoid it but Savchuk manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sotiropoulos to the ground. Sotiropoulos escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Savchuk shoots in and drives through. Sotiropoulos sprawls well.
Savchuk fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sotiropoulos shoots in for a double leg but Savchuk sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savchuk tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sotiropoulos swivels and escapes.
Sotiropoulos shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Savchuk as he avoids it easily.
Savchuk shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Savchuk checks a leg kick.
Sotiropoulos throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Savchuk's waist but Savchuk gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sotiropoulos off to one side.
Sotiropoulos with a poor takedown

and Savchuk counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Savchuk.
Savchuk trying to control but Sotiropoulos is working from the bottom.
Sotiropoulos controlling Savchuk's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savchuk trying to control but Sotiropoulos is working from the bottom.
Sotiropoulos wants to sweep but no luck.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Sotiropoulos keeping moving, preventing Savchuk from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Roman Savchuk.
Sotiropoulos fails with a takedown attempt.
Sotiropoulos fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roman Savchuk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Savchuk has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roman Savchuk!