PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pico Savage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tupac Common (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Common has chosen Ghost by Tupac as his entrance music. Tupac Common will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Savage
vs
Common

180 cm
22
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
205 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pico Savage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tupac Common!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, George Francis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savage takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Savage throws a shot from downtown. Common moves away and avoids it.
Common throws a combination. Savage tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Savage drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Savage is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Common can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Savage controls the pace.
Common tries to strike from the bottom.
Savage controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Common bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Savage's guard.
Common lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Common avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Savage is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Common drops back looking for a leg! Savage is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Savage manages to kick Common off! Common jumps back into Savage's guard.
Common has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savage has his foot on Common's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Common works his way back into a safe position though.
Common throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Savage preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Savage throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Savage is breathing heavily.

Common thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Common avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Common chips away with some ground and pound.
Common trying to control the position from guard on top but Savage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Savage looking for a guillotine here but Common defends easily.

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.
Common tries to stand but Savage is controlling from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Common is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Savage is looking for a triangle but Common pushes his legs off easily.

Savage working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Common doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Common manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Common pushing down on Savage's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Common is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Savage sees it coming and defends easily.

Common decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Common with a lazy takedown attempt

and Savage counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Common keeping moving, preventing Savage from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Common can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Savage controls the pace.
Common trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Savage thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Savage preventing the sweep.
Savage sitting in guard here, content to control.
Savage trying to control but Common is working from the bottom.

Common is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Savage thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Savage drops back looking for a leg! Common is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Common manages to kick Savage off! Savage jumps back into Common's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Savage is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Savage trying to control but Common is working from the bottom.

Common throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Savage controls from within his opponent's guard.

Common is looking for a triangle but Savage pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Savage drops back looking for a leg! Common is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Common manages to kick Savage off! Savage jumps back into Common's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Pico Savage will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Common closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Savage is trying to control but can't.

Savage actively working from the bottom here.
Savage blocking the ground and pound attempt from Common.

Savage looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Common slips a nice elbow through Savage's hands, connecting with Savage's forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Common is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Common prevents Savage from improving his position.
Savage is controlling Common's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Savage looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Common wants to stand but Savage has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Savage is trying to maintain the position but Common is very close to passing his half guard.
Savage is concentrating on defense, preventing Common from advancing position.
Savage wants to control but Common is keeping busy and won't allow it.

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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A nice leg kick lands there from Common.
Common throws a nice looking combination but Savage bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Savage tries for a takedown but Common circles away easily

and Common counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Savage is trying to keep Common in close.
Common wants to control from the top but Savage keeps moving.
Savage controls Common momentarily but Common frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage keeping moving, preventing Common from controlling successfully.
Savage utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Savage is looking for a triangle but Common pushes his legs off easily.
Savage looking to control.
Savage wants to sweep but no luck.

Savage looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Savage has momentary wrist control but Common slips an elbow through the middle.
Common wanted to stand there but Savage had control of the position.
Savage controls Common momentarily but Common frees himself.
Common postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Savage pulls Common in close to his closed guard and prevents Common from doing any damage or advancing position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Savage misses with a takedown

and Common counters with a shoot takedown. Savage fights it but they end up in guard.
Common wants to control from the top but Savage keeps moving.

Savage had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Common is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Savage Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Common's back instead.

Common is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Savage gets his way!
Savage is looking to control Common but Common is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Savage is trying to stick to Common's back but Common is turning into Savage. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Savage's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Common.
Savage wants to sweep here but Common controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tupac Common showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

No luck for Common with that takedown attempt.
Pico Savage is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Common throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Savage drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Savage drops back looking for a leg! Common is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Common manages to kick Savage off! Savage jumps back into Common's guard.
Savage trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Common looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Pico Savage overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Savage trying to control but Common is working from the bottom.
Savage pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Common is keeping the position for now.
Savage controlling from the top position.
Common keeping moving, preventing Savage from controlling successfully.
Common throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Savage shoots in and bounces Common off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Savage tries to free his leg and advance position but Common is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savage trying to control but Common is working from the bottom.
Savage sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Savage is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Savage thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Common has his foot on Savage's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Savage works his way back into a safe position though.
Savage controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Savage trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Common looking for a sweep. Not yet Common, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Savage is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Savage trying to control the position from guard on top but Common is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Common lands a head kick!

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.
Common looks to land a left hand but Savage moved out of range nicely.
Common looks to land a combination but Savage avoids it well.

Savage closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Savage thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Savage is looking to take a break and control but Common is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Savage thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pico Savage showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Savage 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pico Savage!