PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rob Salek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Purcell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Salek
vs
Purcell

160 cm
19
137 lbs
2 - 10 - 0

165 cm
19
145 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Rob Salek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Rick Purcell!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Ackerman and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Purcell swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Salek checks a low kick from Purcell.
Purcell throws a series of punches but Salek avoids them all with ease.

Salek has closed the distance and engaged Purcell in a clinch.
Salek taking a breather.
Salek with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Salek misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Purcell.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Salek takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Purcell tries to break the clinch but Salek is controlling the position.
Salek gets through Purcell's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Salek just leaning against Purcell, taking a breather.
Purcell tries to break the clinch but Salek is controlling the position.
Salek lands an elbow just above Purcell 's eye.
Purcell tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Purcell is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Purcell can't break the clinch.
Salek stops a takedown attempt from Purcell.
Purcell wants a takedown.
Rob Salek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Purcell.
Salek scores with a hook to the body.
Salek scores with a knee to the head.
Purcell drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Purcell changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Salek fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Purcell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Purcell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Purcell shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Purcell misses with a double jab.
Purcell looks gassed!
Purcell swats away the attempt to clinch by Salek.
Purcell misses with a double jab.

Salek closes the distance and pushes Purcell back into the cage.
Purcell wants to break the clinch but can't.
Purcell drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Salek lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Salek drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salek throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Purcell blocks it with crossed arms.
Knees in the clinch landing for Salek.
Salek lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Salek breaks from the clinch.

Salek fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Purcell, pushing him back against the cage.

Salek ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Salek no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Salek wants to stand but Purcell is controlling the position.
Purcell wanted to stand there but Salek had control of the position.
Purcell stops Salek from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Purcell accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Purcell wants to stand but Salek is controlling his posture from full guard.
Salek wants to get back to his feet but Purcell is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Purcell swats away the attempt to clinch by Salek.
Salek throws a one two combo.
Salek connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Salek tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Purcell paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Salek tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Purcell swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Purcell lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Purcell tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Purcell doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Purcell misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Salek counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Salek.

Salek manages to break the clinch.
Purcell lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Salek circles away quickly and effectively.
Rick Purcell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Purcell throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Salek counters with a body kick.
Salek throws a nice inside leg kick.
Salek clobbers Purcell with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Salek takes the fight into the clinch.

Salek has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Purcell uses from the top position.
Salek wants to stand and escape but Purcell is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Purcell stands up and waves to Salek to follow him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Salek dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Purcell lands a with a good body shot.
Salek wants to clinch.

Salek closes the distance and clinches.
Purcell is looking to break free of the clinch but Salek has double underhooks.
Salek blocks a body shot from Purcell.
Purcell wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Purcell wants to break the clinch but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Purcell wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Salek trying to stall but Purcell improves his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Salek manages to break the clinch.
Salek fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Purcell fails with an attempt to clinch.
Salek throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salek goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Salek tries to clinch there but Purcell circles away.

Purcell shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Purcell wants to control the pace but Salek is squirming around nicely.
Purcell won't let Salek get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Purcell controlling from the full mount.
Purcell with shots to the head and body - Salek looks very uncomfortable down there.
Salek is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Purcell trying to control but Salek is having none of it.
Purcell is landing with some decent strikes but Salek is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Purcell has control of Salek's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Salek regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Purcell can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Salek is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salek wants to try and get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salek is in a horrible position here. Purcell smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Purcell looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Salek is squirming around, avoiding Purcell's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Salek is bucking up trying to escape but Purcell cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Purcell can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Salek is looking to escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Purcell putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Purcell 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.

Purcell with a jab.
Purcell throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Salek scores with a head kick.
Salek tries to clinch there but Purcell circles away.
Salek slips a jab and a cross from Purcell.
Purcell falls off balance throwing a combination

and Salek counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Salek.
Salek misses with a knee to the head.
Purcell wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Salek breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Salek rushes Purcell and presses him up against the cage.

Purcell breaks from the clinch.
Salek misses with a head kick.
Salek dodges the punch combination from Purcell.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Purcell lands a jab-cross combination.
Purcell moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salek scores with a sloppy right hand. Purcell should have avoided that one.
Salek wants to clinch up but Purcell keeps it at a distance.
Salek checks a low kick from Purcell.
Purcell circles away from the clinch attempt
and Purcell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Salek slips a jab and a cross from Purcell.
Purcell wants to clinch.
Purcell lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Purcell.
Purcell misses with a low kick.
Purcell on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Salek. Salek obviously looking to wear him down.
Purcell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A slapping body kick lands there for Salek.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Purcell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Purcell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Purcell takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Salek tries to clinch there but Purcell circles away.
Salek tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Purcell paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Purcell looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Salek is fending him off so far but Purcell persists. Nope, Salek circles away and we're back to standing.
Salek fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Purcell.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Salek, right into the meat.
A head kick from Salek lands but Purcell takes it in his stride.
Purcell scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Salek is looking to clinch but Purcell is avoiding it.
Salek wants to clinch.
Salek slips under a jab from Purcell.
Salek lands a right hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Purcell slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Purcell.
Salek scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Salek throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from Salek.
Salek shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Purcell moves into the clinch.

Purcell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Purcell misses with a two punch combination.
Purcell has his takedown stuffed
and Salek counters with a nice leg kick.
Rob Salek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Purcell.
Purcell connects with a looping right hand.
Salek tries to clinch but Purcell is having none of it.
Purcell falls off balance throwing a combination

and Salek moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Purcell wants to break the clinch but can't.
Salek tries to land a knee to the head but Purcell blocks with his arms.
Purcell wants to get back to striking at distance but Salek won't allow it.
Purcell keeps control of Salek as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Purcell wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Purcell wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Come on Salek - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Purcell has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Salek avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Purcell avoiding damage as Salek throws knees to the body.
Purcell wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Purcell blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Purcell drops down looking for an ankle pick but Salek pulls his leg out and moves away.

Salek shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Salek clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Purcell connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Purcell throws a combination that misses

and Salek counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Salek decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Salek pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Purcell rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Salek moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Purcell gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Salek looks to score with a jab to the body but Purcell is just out of range.
Purcell will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Purcell showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Salek.
Purcell misses with a combination
and Salek counters with a slapping leg kick.

Salek fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Purcell, pushing him back against the cage.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salek unloads a knee to the mid-section. Purcell lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Salek.
Purcell wants to get back to striking at distance but Salek won't allow it.
Knees to the body from Salek.
Purcell blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Purcell jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Salek walks away with a smile on his face. Purcell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Purcell lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Salek is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rob Salek is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Salek scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Purcell regains half guard.
Salek tries to stand but can't do so whilst Purcell controls his leg.
Purcell misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Purcell tries to roll over but Salek keeps him under control.
Salek blocks the strikes from Purcell.
Purcell looks like he's trying to stand up.
Purcell is trying to get back to full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Salek defending well as Purcell loads up on a big left hand.
A punch lands to the side of Salek 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Salek has Purcell up against the cage in a clinch.
Salek blocks an elbow strike from Purcell.
Salek with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Purcell is trying to break free.
Salek keeps control of Purcell as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Salek lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Purcell is trying to break the clinch but Salek has him pressed against the cage.

Salek pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Salek shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Salek looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Purcell looks to land a right hand but Salek moved out of range.
Salek fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Purcell.
Salek pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Salek throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Purcell.
Salek is looking to wear down Purcell with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Salek wants to clinch.
Salek shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Salek wants to clinch.
Salek dodges the punch combination from Purcell.
Salek tries to clinch but Purcell moves out of range.
Salek throws a sloppy head kick and Purcell moves out of range easily.
Purcell tries to clinch there but Salek circles away.
Purcell stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Purcell tests Salek's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Purcell swats away the attempt to clinch by Salek.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Salek had his way with Rick Purcell in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Purcell throws a right hand that Salek ducks under and follows up with a left that Salek also avoids with ease.
Purcell shoots in but Salek avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Purcell swats away the attempt to clinch by Salek.
Salek moves in looking to clinch but Purcell pushes him off.
Purcell avoids the head kick by Salek.
Salek throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Purcell's head.
Salek tries to bum rush Purcell with a series of wild strikes but Purcell uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Purcell closes the distance and clinches.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Purcell breaks from the clinch.
Purcell misses with a straight left.
Salek rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Purcell moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Purcell misses the shot to the body.
Salek lands a head kick. Purcell smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Purcell connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Salek clinches up with Purcell and pushes him back against the cage.

Purcell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Purcell bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Purcell wants to lay and pray for a moment but Salek keeps working.
Salek is trying to get back to his feet.
Salek is working to avoid the ground and pound but Purcell connects with a decent elbow.

Purcell decides to stand back up.
Salek lands with a kick to the temple. Purcell shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Purcell shoots in but no luck this time.
Salek tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salek throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Purcell's head.
Purcell shoots in looking for a takedown. Salek tries to sprawl out of it but Purcell keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Salek manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rob Salek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Purcell.
Salek uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Purcell.
Salek fails in his attempt to clinch.
Salek slips a jab and a cross from Purcell.
Purcell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Purcell stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Salek.
Purcell tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Salek was well out of range. Poor timing from Purcell.

Salek has closed the distance and engaged Purcell in a clinch.
Purcell has had enough of the clinch but Salek keeps him there for the moment.
Purcell is trying to break free.
Salek connects with a nasty looking knee right to Purcell's face.
Purcell wants to break the clinch but can't.
A hook to the body from Salek.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Purcell breaks the clinch.
Purcell throws a combination that misses

and Salek counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A nice right hand lands inside from Salek.
Salek is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Purcell pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Salek keeps control of Purcell as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Purcell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Purcell goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Salek slips under a jab.
Purcell closes this distance looking for a takedown but Salek circles away.
Salek throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Purcell.
Purcell throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Salek has managed to clinch.
Purcell fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Purcell tries to break the clinch but Salek is controlling the position.

Salek lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Purcell wants to sweep but Salek has passed to side control!

Salek stands up and beckons Purcell to his feet.
Salek tries to clinch but Purcell is having none of it.
Danga de danga de dang - Purcell scores with a four punch combination!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Salek, right into the meat.
Salek scoring well with a low kick there.
A punch combination from Purcell misses.
Purcell just misses with a punch to the body.
Purcell's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Salek has Purcell up against the cage in a clinch.
Purcell is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Rick Purcell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rob Salek is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Purcell scores with a shot to the side of Salek's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rob Salek showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Salek 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 49:46
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 49:46
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rob Salek!