PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack Number (ranked 1640 p4p, 222 weight class) and Michael Salazar (ranked 1265 p4p, 175 weight class). Number comes to the cage accompanied by This is A Film - Iggy Pop (Goran Bregovič). 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.

Number
vs
Salazar

150 cm
32
205 lbs
21 - 23 - 0

193 cm
29
215 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 21 - 23 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack Number!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Salazar!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Number gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Salazar makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Salazar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Number blocks an uppercut.
Number lands a body punch.
Number tries to work over Salazar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Number has a couple of punches blocked by Salazar.
Number misses with a hook to the ribs.
Salazar swings wildly with an uppercut but Number uses good head movement to avoid it.
Number has a couple of punches blocked by Salazar.
I was talking to Number's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A short left from Number.
Number tries to work over Salazar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Number tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A nice left hand lands by Salazar.
Salazar goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Number.
Salazar misses with a short punch on the inside.
Salazar misses with a hook from the clinch.
Number lands a hook that snaps the head of Salazar backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Number pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Number moves to clinch but Salazar breaks away
and Salazar counters with a nice low kick that buckles Number's knee momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Number clinches up against the cage.
Number lands with a short shot to the head.
Number doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Salazar blocking some punches.
Number prevents a body shot from Salazar.
Salazar misses with a hook from the clinch.
Number blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Number lands with a short shot to the head.
Number lands a body shot in the clinch.
Salazar looking to throw knees to the head but Number is blocking nicely.

Number breaks from the clinch.
Number tries to close the distance and clinch up but Salazar swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Number tries to clinch
and Number takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Salazar tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Number paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Number moves into the clinch.
Number works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Number can't find room to land a body shot as Salazar controls the action.
Number stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Salazar looks winded!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Salazar prevents a body shot from Number.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Number.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Number.
A shot in the inside from Number.
Salazar scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Number tries to work over Salazar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Salazar prevents a body shot from Number.

Number breaks from the clinch.

Number clinches.
Salazar scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Number.
A left hand lands to the body for Number.
Salazar working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Number lands a left hand that snaps the head of Salazar backwards.
Salazar looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A hook to the body from Number.
Number struggles to land a body shot inside as Salazar controls his hands.
Salazar tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Number lands a nice uppercut.
Number lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Number lands a left hand that snaps the head of Salazar backwards.
Number scores with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Number lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Number works on Salazar's body with a couple of short punches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Number.
Still in the clinch, Number scores with a nice short uppercut.
Number misses with a hook to the ribs.
Number lands a left hand that snaps the head of Salazar backwards.
Number throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Number lands a body punch.
Number works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Number breaks from the clinch.

Number has taken the fight to the clinch.
Salazar misses with a short punch on the inside.
Number stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A short right from Number.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Salazar blocks a body shot from Number.
Salazar wants to get back to striking at distance but Number won't allow it.
Salazar blocks a body shot from Number.
Number blocking some punches.
Number pushes Salazar back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salazar's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Number pushes Salazar back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Salazar throws a punch but it's blocked by Number.
Salazar throws a head punch that misses.
A short right from Number.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Salazar.
Number cracks Salazar with a nice body shot.
Number lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Salazar or not.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Number pushes Salazar back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Number.
Number lands a right hand.
Number lands a left hand that snaps the head of Salazar backwards.
Number lands a shoulder strike.
Number lands a nice uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Number as the two fighters clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Number lands a nice shot to the body.
Number throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Salazars head.
Number works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Number lands a hook that snaps the head of Salazar backwards.
Number pushes Salazar back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Number dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Number moves into the clinch.
Salazar lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Number softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Salazar takes a shot to the head.
Number lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Number.

Number manages to break the clinch.

Number pushes Salazar up against the cage in a clinch.
Salazar misses with a short punch on the inside.
Number is leaning against Salazar and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Number scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Number misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Number works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Number scores with a nice hook to the head.
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!

Number escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Salazar circles away from the clinch attempt.
Salazar is breathing heavily.

Number drives through and clinches with Salazar against the cage.
Number gets through Salazar's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Salazar misses with some punches.
A short right from Number.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Number doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice right hand lands inside from Number.
Salazar doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A right hook to the body lands for Number.
Number lands with a left to the head.
Number is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Salazar can do to turn this around?
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Number.
Number lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Salazar.
Number working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Number lands a body shot.
Nice body punch from Number - that landed with a thud.
Number makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A body shot lands from Number.
Nice body punch from Number - that landed with a thud.
Nice body punch from Number.
Number misses with a body punch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Number.
A body shot lands from Number.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Number lands an uppercut.
Number lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Number tries to work over Salazar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Number gets through Salazar's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Number makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Number breaks from the clinch.
Jack Number is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Number gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short left from Number.
Number tries a body shot but Salazar blocks it.
Number lands a body punch.
Number lands with a left to the head.
Number working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Number lands a left hand that snaps the head of Salazar backwards.
Still in the clinch, Number scores with a nice short uppercut.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Salazar in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Salazar is looking to break free of the clinch but Number has double underhooks.
Jack Number has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Number goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A body shot lands from Number.
Number lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Number softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Good body shot from Number.

Number breaks the clinch.
Number tries to clinch but Salazar moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salazar keeps the fight on the outside.

Number clinches with his opponent.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Number.
A short body shot lands from Number as the two fighters clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Number.
Nice body punch from Number - that landed with a thud.
Salazar blocks a body shot from Number.

Number escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Number tries to close the distance and clinch up but Salazar swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Number looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Salazar keeps the fight on the outside.
Number looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Number tries to clinch but Salazar moves out of range.
Number tries to clinch up.
Salazar looks to throw the jab but Number is out of range.
Salazar tries to close the distance and clinch but Number swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Number wants to clinch.
Salazar throws out a counter right but Number avoids it with no problem.
Salazar dodges the punch combination from Number.
Salazar keeps the fight on the outside.
Number tries to clinch there but Salazar circles away.
Number throws a series of punches but Salazar moves out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Number throws a combination that misses
and Salazar counters with a good low kick that Number was not able to check.
Number is looking to clinch but Salazar is avoiding it.
Salazar was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Salazar circles away from the clinch attempt.
Number fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Number looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Number closes the distance and clinches.
Salazar misses with a knee strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Number dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Salazar connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A combination from Number does no damage.
Number fails in his attempt to clinch.
Salazar unleashes a big counter combination but Number bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Salazar circles away from the clinch attempt.

Salazar forces Number back against the cage and clinches.
A left hand lands to the body for Number.
A right hook to the body lands for Number.
Number working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Number tries to work over Salazar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Salazar tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Number's elbow.
Number tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Salazar's elbow.
Number swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Number can't find room to land a body shot as Salazar controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good body shot from Number.
A short right from Number on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Number.
Salazar takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Number lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Number.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Number digs a right hand into Salazar's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Salazar's gas tank.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Number working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A right handed body shot lands from Number.
Number lands with a short shot to the head.
Number tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Number scores with a shot to the side of Salazar's head.
Number lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Salazar or not.

Number pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Number swinging wildly here.
Number tries to clinch but Salazar moves out of range.
Salazar tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Number throws a series of punches but Salazar moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Number scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Salazar takes a shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Salazar misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salazar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Salazar lands with a short shot to the head.
Number lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Number lands an uppercut.
Number throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Salazar's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Number lands a hook that snaps the head of Salazar backwards.
Nice body punch from Number.
A shot in the inside from Number.
Number digs a right hand into Salazar's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Salazar's gas tank.
Number tries to work over Salazar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Number lands a left hand that snaps the head of Salazar backwards.
Number tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Salazar blocks a body shot from Number.
Salazar looking to slow down the pace here.
Salazar blocks a body shot from Number.
Number misses with a short punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Number.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Number lands a body shot in the clinch.
Number lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Number lands with a short shot to the head.
Number works on Salazar's body with a couple of short punches.
Number works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Number pushes Salazar back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short right from Number on the inside.
Number lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Salazar.

Number breaks from the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Good body shot from Number.
Number tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Salazar's elbow.
Number misses with a hook to the ribs.
Salazar tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Number's elbow.
Number goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Number lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Number can't find room to land a body shot as Salazar controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salazar using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Number has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Salazar throws a head punch that misses.
Salazar has a couple of punches blocked by Number.
Number misses with a hook to the ribs.
Number tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Salazar's elbow.
Number misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Salazar fails to land.
Number working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A shot in the inside from Number.
A short body shot lands from Number as the two fighters clinch.
Number lands a right hand that snaps the head of Salazar backwards.
Michael Salazar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Number lands a hook that snaps the head of Salazar backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Number.
Number lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Salazar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Number lands with a light punch inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Salazar tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Number's elbow.
Salazar misses with a hook from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Number showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Number has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Number!
Michael Salazar was interviewed post fight and said 'The belt belongs to me, it will be reclaimed. '.