PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Asa Sharp (ranked 3397 p4p, 378 weight class) and Pavel Savkov (ranked 1510 p4p, 179 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sharp
vs
Savkov

183 cm
28
175 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

175 cm
30
180 lbs
20 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Asa Sharp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 13 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pavel Savkov!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Richard Clark and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sharp tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sharp lands a nice looking body shot.
Savkov catches Sharp with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Sharp throws a body punch but Savkov moves out of range.
Savkov with the counter takedown but Sharp avoids it easily.
Decent striking displayed by Savkov there.
Savkov has his takedown stuffed
and Sharp counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Savkov tries to clinch
and Sharp counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice sprawl there from Sharp as Savkov shoots in.
Savkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sharp appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Asa Sharp has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pavel Savkov.
Savkov connects with a right hand. Sharp shakes it off.
Sloppy strikes from Sharp. Those never looked like landing.
Savkov lands a glancing blow to the side of Sharp's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Savkov throws a jab but it's blocked by Sharp.
Savkov misses with a right hand
and Sharp counters with a one-two to the body.
Savkov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savkov closes the distance and pushes Sharp back into the cage.
Sharp takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Asa Sharp has been cut.
Savkov is working for takedown but Sharp is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sharp lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Savkov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Sharp dodges an elbow strike from Savkov.
Sharp prevents a takedown attempt there.
Savkov lands with a short shot to the head.
A shot in the inside from Sharp.
Savkov misses with a punch on the inside.
Sharp misses with a body punch.
Sharp is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Sharp misses with a short punch on the inside.
Savkov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sharp is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sharp stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Sharp gets through Savkov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savkov tries a knee to the head but Sharp blocks it.
Sharp swings wildly with an uppercut but Savkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Savkov looking for a takedown.
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!
Sharp connects with a nasty looking knee right to Savkov's face.
Sharp cracks Savkov with a nice body shot.
Sharp prevents the takedown attempt.
Sharp cracks Savkov with a nice body shot.
Sharp throws a punch but it's blocked by Savkov.
Sharp tries to throw a body punch but Savkov avoids it by throwing Sharp back against the cage.
Sharp has a couple of punches blocked by Savkov.
Sharp lands a body shot in the clinch.
Sharp stops a takedown attempt from Savkov.
Sharp tries a body shot but Savkov blocks it.

Savkov gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Sharp 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.
Sharp utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Savkov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Sharp is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Sharp has escaped and now he's on top!

Sharp postures up.

Savkov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Savkov wants to sweep but no luck.
Sharp wants to stand but Savkov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Sharp has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Savkov trying to control the position.
Sharp content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Savkov has his foot on Sharp's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sharp works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Savkov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sharp can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Savkov is looking for a triangle here but Sharp uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Savkov can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savkov is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Asa Sharp dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Asa Sharp's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sharp stuffs the takedown attempt from Savkov. Savkov gets slowly back to his feet.
Savkov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sharp momentarily.
Savkov lands with a hook. Sharp tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Sharp scores with a jab.
Sharp takes a swing at Savkov's ribcage but misses.
Savkov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sharp steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Savkov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savkov looks to land a right hand but Sharp moved out of range.
Sharp lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Asa Sharp is winning the standup battle so far.
Savkov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sharp is fending him off so far but Savkov persists. Nope, Sharp circles away and we're back to standing.
Savkov slips a straight right by Sharp.
Savkov takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savkov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Savkov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sharp's head.
Savkov advances to half guard.
Savkov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Savkov looks to land a strike but Sharp avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Savkov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sharp keeping moving, preventing Savkov from controlling successfully.
Savkov lands a couple of elbows.
Sharp keeping moving, preventing Savkov from controlling successfully.
Sharp utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savkov throws an elbow that misses. Sharp uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Savkov's guard. Nice move by Sharp!

Savkov working for a triangle but Sharp defends it easily.

Sharp got a little sloppy there for a moment and Savkov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sharp has managed to get both his arms back between Savkov's legs - danger averted.

Savkov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Savkov controls Sharp momentarily but Sharp frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savkov wants to sweep here but Sharp controlling him for the moment.

Savkov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Savkov wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Sharp is now in half guard.

Savkov actively working from the bottom here.
Sharp prevents Savkov from improving his position.
Savkov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Sharp wants to control but Savkov is keeping him busy.

Savkov actively working from the bottom here.
Savkov trying to control from the bottom.
Savkov is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Savkov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pavel Savkov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Asa Sharp's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Sharp misses with a series of wild punches.
Savkov is looking to clinch.
Sharp lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Savkov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sharp closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sharp just misses with a punch to the body.
Savkov slips a jab and a cross from Sharp.
Sharp looks to score with a jab to the body but Savkov is just out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Savkov.
Sharp lands a nice hook to Savkov's body. Savkov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Pavel Savkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
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!
Sharp slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Sharp tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Savkov was well out of range. Poor timing from Sharp.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sharp misses the shot to the body.
A slow jab from Savkov misses its intended target.
Sharp appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Savkov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Savkov dives in for a single leg takedown but Sharp sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Sharp lands the left hand.
Sharp is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Nice straight punches there by Sharp. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Sharp.
Sharp lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Savkov is rocked!
Sharp takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Savkov is still on wobbly legs! Can Sharp finish him?
Sharp throws a hook but Savkov blocks it.
Savkov seems to have recovered his senses.

Savkov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sharp keeping control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savkov is trying to control. Sharp wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Savkov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Savkov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sharp is not content to let Savkov control the position.
Pavel Savkov has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Savkov lands a nice short elbow.
Savkov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Savkov throwing shots but Sharp is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savkov wants to take a breather but Sharp is having none of it.
Savkov controlling the action here.
Savkov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Savkov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Sharp taking some punishment here, with Savkov in his half guard.
Savkov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Savkov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sharp doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Savkov.
Savkov trying to control from Sharp's half guard. Sharp has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savkov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Savkov looking to pass the guard.
Savkov is in close to Sharp's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sharp is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Savkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Sharp is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Asa Sharp.
I think Sharp 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Asa Sharp!
Our winner, Asa Sharp, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.