PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kari Salmelainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Kawells (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Salmelainen comes to the cage accompanied by At This Velocity. Kari Salmelainen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Salmelainen
vs
Kawells

190 cm
21
185 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

183 cm
22
185 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

MMA's Best Nutrition The PIT INC

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kari Salmelainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anthony Kawells!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kawells rushes Salmelainen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kawells tries to land a knee to the head but Salmelainen blocks with his arms.
Kawells with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kawells scores a nice knee to the body.

Kawells breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kawells takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Kawells takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Horrible takedown by Salmelainen or perhaps it was just good defense by Kawells which made him look bad.
Salmelainen tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Kawells counters by moving into the clinch.
Salmelainen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Salmelainen is working for takedown but Kawells is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kawells gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Salmelainen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kari Salmelainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Salmelainen stops a takedown attempt from Kawells.
Salmelainen has Kawells pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kawells manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Kawells gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Kawells gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kawells throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Salmelainen is breathing heavily.
Kawells wants to clinch up but Salmelainen keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawells wants to clinch up but Salmelainen keeps it at a distance.

Kawells drives through and clinches with Salmelainen against the cage.
Kawells connects with a knee to the head.
Kawells tries to land a knee to the head but Salmelainen blocks with his arms.

Kawells's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Salmelainen throws a body kick the misses

and Kawells counters by clinching up.
Kawells tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Knees in the clinch landing for Salmelainen.
Salmelainen is working for takedown but Kawells is calmly controlling the position for now.

Kawells escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Salmelainen closes the distance but Kawells moves to the side
and Kawells counters with an inside leg kick.

Kawells rushes Salmelainen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kawells creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kawells goes for a takedown attempt but Salmelainen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Kawells moves into range and clinches up with Salmelainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawells is struggling to control the position.

Salmelainen gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Kawells is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kawells is trying to stand back up but Salmelainen is controlling him
Kawells trying to control from the bottom.

Kawells is defending against the submission attempts here by Salmelainen.

Salmelainen seems to be looking for submissions.

Salmelainen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kawells sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawells moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kawells is trying to keep Salmelainen in close.

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

Kawells scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Kawells pushes Salmelainen up against the cage in a clinch.
Kawells misses with a knee strike.
Kawells lands a knee to the body.
Kawells is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Salmelainen is keeping busy.
Salmelainen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kawells avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawells tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Salmelainen scores with a nice hook to the head.
Salmelainen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Kawells has picked Salmelainen up - he's going for a ride! Kawells dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Salmelainen is trying to get back to full guard.

Salmelainen looking for submissions off his back.

Salmelainen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Salmelainen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kawells stands up out of the half guard.
Kawells wants to clinch but Salmelainen slips to the side

so Salmelainen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anthony Kawells will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Salmelainen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kawells counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kawells looking to slow down the pace here.
Kawells lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kawells has Salmelainen pressed against the cage.
Salmelainen tries to land a knee to the head but Kawells blocks with his arms.
Salmelainen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kawells prevents it.
Kawells tries to land a knee to the head but Salmelainen blocks with his arms.
Kawells scores with a knee to the head.
Kawells throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Salmelainens head.
Kawells connects with a nasty looking knee right to Salmelainen's face.

Kawells escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kawells wants to clinch.
Salmelainen tries to clinch up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salmelainen closes the distance looking to clinch

and Kawells counters with a takedown into side control.
Salmelainen manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kawells's best efforts.
Salmelainen is trying to maintain the position but Kawells is very close to passing his half guard.

Salmelainen is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Kawells pulls his head out easily.

Salmelainen looking for submissions off his back.

Salmelainen is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Kawells pulls his head out easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Salmelainen actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawells seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Kawells with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Salmelainen looking for submissions off his back.

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

Kawells takes the fight into the clinch.

Kawells pulls guard.

Salmelainen drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Kawells manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Salmelainen has Kawells in his guard.

Salmelainen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kawells stands up from Salmelainen's guard - Kawells perhaps looking for a knockout.
A head kick by Salmelainen misses

and Kawells holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Kawells.
Salmelainen being controlled against the cage.

Kawells escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Salmelainen looks to clinch
and Kawells counters with a nice body kick.
Salmelainen darts in trying to clinch

and Kawells counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kawells.
Kawells is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawells stalling in the clinch but Salmelainen improves position.
Kawells connects with a knee to the head.
Salmelainen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kawells gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kari Salmelainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kawells tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Salmelainen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kawells managing to block the knees to the body from Salmelainen.
Salmelainen tries to score a body lock takedown but Kawells shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A short right from Kawells.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kawells.
Salmelainen scores with a shot to the side of Kawells's head.
Kawells tries to pull guard but Salmelainen won't allow it.

Salmelainen lands a takedown into guard.

Salmelainen drops back looking for a leg! Kawells is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kawells manages to kick Salmelainen off! Salmelainen jumps back into Kawells's guard.
Kawells keeping full guard, as Salmelainen tries to pass.
Salmelainen stops Kawells from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Kawells showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Salmelainen tries to clinch but Kawells moves away
and Kawells counters with an inside leg kick.
Salmelainen wants to clinch but Kawells slips to the side

and Kawells counters by clinching up.
Salmelainen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kawells.
Salmelainen has had enough of the clinch but Kawells keeps him there for the moment.
Kawells on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Kawells breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Salmelainen closes the distance looking to clinch

and Kawells holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Kawells's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Salmelainen misses with a takedown attempt

and Kawells counters by moving into the clinch.
Kawells leaning his opponent against the cage.

Kawells jumps guard and drags Salmelainen to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Salmelainen wants to control from the top but Kawells keeps moving.
Kawells wants to get back to his feet but Salmelainen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Salmelainen postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kawells is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Salmelainen, into his guard.

Kawells gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Salmelainen wants to clinch but Kawells slips to the side

and Kawells moves into the clinch.
Salmelainen is trying to drag Kawells to the mat but Kawells just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kawells stalling in the clinch.

Kawells escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kawells takes a kick to the side of the head.
Salmelainen clinches but Kawells breaks the clinch
and Kawells cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salmelainen darts in trying to clinch

and Kawells counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kawells lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Salmelainen tries to score a body lock takedown but Kawells shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kari Salmelainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kawells manages to break the clinch.
Kawells takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kawells is looking to clinch but Salmelainen is avoiding it.
Kawells wants to clinch up but Salmelainen keeps it at a distance.
Kawells wants to clinch up but Salmelainen keeps it at a distance.

Kawells clinches.
Kawells avoiding damage as Salmelainen throws knees to the body.

Kawells lands a takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Salmelainen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kawells doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kawells manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kawells really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Salmelainen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salmelainen keeping moving, preventing Kawells from controlling successfully.
Kawells looking to sit in guard and control but Salmelainen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Salmelainen 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.

Kawells kicks Salmelainen off and gets to his feet.
Salmelainen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kawells pinned against the cage. Kawells gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Salmelainen doesn't manage to clinch there - Kawells circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kawells wants to clinch up but Salmelainen keeps it at a distance.
Salmelainen circles away from the clinch attempt.

Salmelainen drives through and clinches with Kawells against the cage.
Kari Salmelainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Anthony Kawells is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kawells looking to throw knees to the head but Salmelainen is blocking nicely.

Salmelainen tightens his grip and picks Kawells up, before dumping him to the ground. Kawells manages to land in guard.
Anthony Kawells has got the better of the ground game so far.
Salmelainen being controlled here momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kawells controls Salmelainen momentarily but Salmelainen frees himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Salmelainen is standing up over Kawells. Kawells looks to escape but Salmelainen dives into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Kawells comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kawells winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Kawells!