PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sava Savov (ranked 2450 p4p, 137 weight class) and Jimmy McNabb (ranked 3874 p4p, 196 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Savov
vs
McNabb

164 cm
23
134 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

160 cm
25
141 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Dark Knight Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sava Savov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jimmy McNabb!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Jeff Smith and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McNabb throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Savov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
McNabb throws a nice looking combination but Savov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick misses from Savov.
McNabb misses with a double jab
and Savov counters with an inside leg kick.
Jimmy McNabb seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McNabb throws a right and a left that both miss.
And Savov counters with a quick kick to the body but McNabb blocks it.

Savov gets a clinch.
Savov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but McNabb is defending well.
McNabb is trying to break free.
Savov prevents McNabb from breaking the clinch.
McNabb looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savov tries to pull guard but McNabb won't allow it.

Savov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Savov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Savov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McNabb.
Savov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McNabb throws a big right hand that misses.
McNabb being controlled here momentarily.
Savov tries to strike from the bottom.
McNabb loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Savov keeping full guard, as McNabb tries to pass.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jimmy McNabb is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Savov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McNabb.
McNabb throws a right and a left that Savov avoids nicely.
Savov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
McNabb misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNabb misses with a double jab
and Savov counters with a nice leg kick.
McNabb throws a right and a left that both miss.
Savov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A looping hook to the body misses from McNabb. Savov does a little dance to reset his feet.
McNabb swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Savov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McNabb.

Savov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Savov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
McNabb throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Savov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McNabb throws a left and a right that both miss
and Savov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Savov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McNabb manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
That kick from Savov tenderised McNabb's leg. McNabb is trying to keep his angry face on.
Some wild striking there from McNabb.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNabb throws a right and a left that both miss.
McNabb misses with a hook to the body
and Savov counters with a flying knee. Nice.
McNabb misses with a lunging right hand
and Savov counters with a two punch combo.
A punch combination from McNabb misses.
McNabb misses with a shot to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
McNabb stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sava Savov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McNabb swings away with a body shot that misses
and Savov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
McNabb throws a series of punches but Savov moves out of range.
Savov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from McNabb.
A shot to the body from McNabb misses
and Savov counters with a nice low kick that buckles McNabb's knee momentarily.
Good leg kick by Savov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McNabb lands a slapping body shot.
McNabb throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
As McNabb backs away, Savov returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
McNabb's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Savov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McNabb but McNabb pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've been informed that McNabb has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savov avoids the body shot from McNabb.
Savov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
McNabb looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McNabb throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Savov counters with a nice low kick that buckles McNabb's knee momentarily.
Savov doesn't manage to clinch there - McNabb circles away.
McNabb misses with a double jab.
Savov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
McNabb throws a combination that misses
and Savov counters with a leg kick.
McNabb looks winded!
McNabb circles away from the clinch attempt.
McNabb misses with a left hand
and Savov finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
McNabb swings for the body but Savov moves out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Savov.
Savov throws a nice inside leg kick.
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 Sava Savov will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Savov moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
A combination from McNabb does no damage.
McNabb lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Savov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McNabb is fending him off so far but Savov persists. Nope, McNabb circles away and we're back to standing.
Savov avoids a punch combination nicely.
McNabb is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Savov rather than just go for the knockout.
McNabb swats away the attempt to clinch by Savov.
McNabb throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McNabb ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McNabb ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Savov moves away.
A punch combination from McNabb misses.
McNabb misses with a body shot.
Savov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McNabb.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNabb throws a body punch but Savov moves out of range.
Savov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
McNabb getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The fight stays on the outside here - Savov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McNabb throws a poor cross that misses
and Savov counters with a low kick, right behind McNabb 's knee.
Savov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McNabb as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sava Savov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McNabb swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McNabb swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Savov counters with an inside leg kick.
McNabb throws a combination that misses
and Savov counters with an outside leg kick.
McNabb stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McNabb wants it to stay on the feet.
No joy there for McNabb, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McNabb closes the distance and lands a one-two.
McNabb is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNabb throws a combination that misses
and Savov counters with a nice body kick.
Savov wants to clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McNabb throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Savov counters with a thumping low kick.
Jimmy McNabb seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Savov fails to land the takedown.
A combination from McNabb does no damage.
McNabb misses with a combination
and Savov counters with an outside leg kick.
Savov is looking to clinch.
As Savov backs off McNabb throws a huge counter combo but Savov manages to avoid it all.
McNabb swats away the attempt to clinch by Savov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNabb throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McNabb misses with a two punch combination.
Savov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Savov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Savov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
McNabb swings for the body but Savov moves out of range.
No luck for Savov with that takedown attempt.
McNabb looks to score with a jab to the body but Savov is just out of range.
McNabb falls off balance throwing a combination
and Savov counters with a leg kick.
McNabb fails to land with a series of punches.
Savov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
The fight stays on the outside here - Savov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNabb throws a hook but Savov avoids it easily.

Savov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Savov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McNabb's efforts to push away.
Savov lands a knee to the body.
Savov goes for a takedown attempt but McNabb pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Savov tries to clinch up
and McNabb counters with a three punch combo that has Savov backing up. Savov nods at McNabb to acknowledge the strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McNabb throws a sloppy body shot
and Savov counters with a nice leg kick.
Savov throws a head kick that half lands.
Savov is looking to clinch but McNabb is avoiding it.
McNabb let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Sava Savov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Savov slips under a jab.
As McNabb backs away, Savov returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy McNabb showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. 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.

McNabb throws a hook but Savov avoids it easily.
Savov quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Savov shoots in for a takedown but McNabb shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
McNabb throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Savov counters with a good low kick that McNabb was not able to check.
McNabb displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Savov.
A shot to the body from McNabb misses
and Savov counters with a good low kick that McNabb was not able to check.
McNabb fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McNabb swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McNabb throws a series of punches but Savov avoids them all with ease.
McNabb takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McNabb misses with a looping left.
Savov looks for a takedown but McNabb sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sava Savov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McNabb avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNabb throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Savov.
McNabb throws a right hand that misses
and Savov counters with a nice low kick that buckles McNabb's knee momentarily.
McNabb throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Savov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
McNabb misses with a wild body shot.
McNabb swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Savov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but McNabb manages to circle out of the way.
McNabb misses with a jab, cross combination.
Savov lands a nice looking kick to the body. McNabb takes a step back to recover.
McNabb misses with a wild body shot.
Savov tries to clinch but McNabb moves out of range.
Savov has a takedown stuffed.
Savov moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
McNabb fails to land with a series of punches.
Savov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice sprawl there from McNabb as Savov shoots in.
McNabb has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Savov.
McNabb misses with a body punch
and Savov counters with a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McNabb ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Savov moves away.
Savov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of McNabb's head.
Savov slips under a jab from McNabb.
McNabb swats away the attempt to clinch by Savov.
Savov tries to clinch but McNabb is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Savov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A punch combination from McNabb misses.
McNabb lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Savov circles away quickly and effectively.
As McNabb tries to get set, Savov tries to push him back and clinch up but McNabb manages to avoid the attempt.
McNabb has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Savov.
Savov shoots for a takedown but McNabb saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Savov is looking to clinch.
McNabb fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Savov manages to avoid it.
It looked like Savov was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Savov tries to close the distance and clinch up but McNabb swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McNabb has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McNabb throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Savov counters with a nice low kick that buckles McNabb's knee momentarily.
McNabb swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
As McNabb looks to move away, Savov throws a big counter combo but McNabb just gets out of the way.
McNabb fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McNabb misses with a combination
and Savov counters with a two punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
McNabb throws a combination that misses
and Savov counters with a low kick, right behind McNabb 's knee.
Savov scores with a kick to the midsection.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Savov tries to clinch but McNabb is having none of it.
Despite the aggression on McNabb's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
McNabb tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McNabb swats away the attempt to clinch by Savov.
Savov fails with an attempt to clinch.
McNabb falls off balance throwing a combination
and Savov counters with a low kick, right behind McNabb 's knee.
Some wild striking there from McNabb.
McNabb just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromSavov.
Savov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Savov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

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 Sava Savov.
I think Savov 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 29:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:29
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!