PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Able Nightroad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kari Salmelainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Nightroad might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Vicarious. Salmelainen is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by At This Velocity. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nightroad
vs
Salmelainen

175 cm
21
199 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

190 cm
22
184 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Attack Clothing

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Able Nightroad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kari Salmelainen!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Gwen Towbar and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salmelainen shoots for a double leg takedown but Nightroad sprawls well. He's pushed Salmelainen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nightroad throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
No luck for Salmelainen with that takedown attempt.
Nightroad takes a swing at Salmelainen's ribcage but misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nightroad. That's going to slow Salmelainen down.

Salmelainen has closed the distance and engaged Nightroad in a clinch.
Nightroad gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Salmelainen.
Able Nightroad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kari Salmelainen.
Salmelainen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nightroad taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Nightroad avoids the elbow strike from Salmelainen, against the cage.

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

Salmelainen feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Nightroad looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Salmelainen trying to control but Nightroad is working from the bottom.

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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nightroad is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Salmelainen wants to pass the guard but Nightroad is keeping the position.

Salmelainen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Salmelainen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Salmelainen won't allow Nightroad to sweep him here.
Nightroad throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Nightroad pulls Salmelainen in to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nightroad lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Salmelainen is defended easily by Nightroad.
Salmelainen looks gassed!
Nightroad thows a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nightroad moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nightroad looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Able Nightroad is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Salmelainen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Able Nightroad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Salmelainen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nightroad.
Salmelainen blocks a head kick by Nightroad.
Nightroad scores with a shot to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Nightroad. No joy for Salmelainen on that attempt.
Nightroad lands with a thumping leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Salmelainen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Nightroad.
Nightroad throws a leg kick which misses Salmelainen's front leg but catches the back leg as Salmelainen tries to avoid it.
Nightroad uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Salmelainen has time to react.
Nightroad thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Salmelainen if he has to take too many more of those.
Nightroad misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nightroad throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Salmelainen on the side of the head.
Salmelainen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nightroad as he avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nightroad lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Nightroad.
Nightroad lands a front kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Nightroad.
Salmelainen avoids the head kick by Nightroad.
Nightroad paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Nightroad tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nightroad looks for the body kick but Salmelainen saw that one coming.
Nightroad moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nightroad pushes Salmelainen away with a front kick.
Nightroad looks to land a combination. Salmelainen sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nightroad lands with a thumping leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nightroad scores with a head kick.
Nightroad pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nightroad swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Salmelainen gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Salmelainen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salmelainen blocks the body kick.
Nightroad swings for the body but Salmelainen moves out of range.
Nightroad tries a head kick but it misses.
Nightroad throws a series of strikes that have Salmelainen backpedaling.
Nightroad scores with a head kick.
Salmelainen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nightroad sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nightroad keeps the fight on the outside.
Salmelainen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nightroad sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nightroad misses with a series of wild punches.
A punch combination from Nightroad misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nightroad leaves Salmelainen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Salmelainen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Nightroad.
Nightroad lands with a thumping leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Able Nightroad dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nightroad throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nightroad connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Salmelainen checks a low kick from Nightroad.
Nightroad stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nightroad wants it to stay on the feet.
Crunch! Nightroad slams his shin into Salmelainen's torso.
Nightroad scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Able Nightroad is winning the standup battle so far.
Nightroad throws a head kick but Salmelainen moves out of range.
Nightroad fails to land with a series of punches.
Salmelainen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Nightroad.
Nightroad throws a leg kick which misses Salmelainen's front leg but catches the back leg as Salmelainen tries to avoid it.
Nightroad thuds his shin into the meat of Salmelainen's side.
A punch combination from Nightroad misses.
Salmelainen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nightroad avoids it really well and circles away.
Able Nightroad is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Salmelainen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nightroad throws a nice inside leg kick.
Salmelainen avoids the head kick by Nightroad.
Salmelainen takes a kick to the side of the head.
An inside leg kick lands from Nightroad.
Nightroad lands with a slapping head kick.
Salmelainen avoids the head kick by Nightroad.
Nightroad misses with a series of wild punches.
Nightroad scores with a nice head shot.
A head kick from Nightroad lands but Salmelainen takes it in his stride.
Nightroad keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Able Nightroad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kari Salmelainen.
Salmelainen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Salmelainen blocks a head kick by Nightroad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nightroad throws a leg kick which misses Salmelainen's front leg but catches the back leg as Salmelainen tries to avoid it.
A slapping body kick lands there for Nightroad.
A punch combination from Nightroad misses.
Nightroad throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Salmelainen's head.
Salmelainen moves in looking to clinch but Nightroad pushes him off.
Salmelainen fails to land the takedown.
Nightroad displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Salmelainen.
Salmelainen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nightroad can pounce on him.
Nightroad scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nightroad fakes the leg kick and cracks Salmelainen in the body.
Salmelainen avoids the head kick by Nightroad.
Nightroad pivots, looking for a leg kick but Salmelainen is out of range and Nightroad settles back down.
Nightroad pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Salmelainen blocks the leg kick.
Nightroad scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Nightroad throws a head kick that misses.
Salmelainen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nightroad swivels and escapes.
Nightroad lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Salmelainen circles away quickly and effectively.
Salmelainen tries to clinch up.
Nightroad tries a head kick but it misses.
Nightroad lands a nice looking kick to the body. Salmelainen takes a step back to recover.
Nightroad lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Salmelainen doesn't manage to clinch there - Nightroad circles away.
Salmelainen shoots in and drives through. Nightroad sprawls well.
A slapping leg kick lands for Nightroad.
Nightroad throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Salmelainen.
Nightroad is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Salmelainen can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salmelainen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Salmelainen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nightroad can pounce on him.
Salmelainen blocks the body kick.
Salmelainen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nightroad sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Salmelainen somewhat.
Nightroad misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Salmelainen.
Nightroad lands a nice leg kick that just misses Salmelainen's sensitive parts.
Nightroad cracks the inside of Salmelainen's front leg.
Nightroad throws a leg kick but Salmelainen moved away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nightroad slaps away a takedown attempt from Salmelainen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nightroad throws a nice head kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Able Nightroad dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nightroad buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nightroad misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Salmelainen shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Nightroad manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Salmelainen is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Nightroad is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Nightroad has escaped and now he's on top!
Salmelainen can't keep his opponent in guard - Nightroad advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Salmelainen has hold of Nightroad's hands but Nightroad slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Nightroad takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Salmelainen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nightroad pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nightroad controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Salmelainen actively working from the bottom here.
Nightroad is thwarting Salmelainen's attempts to control the position.
Salmelainen taking some punishment here, with Nightroad in his half guard.

Nightroad stands up from half guard.
Nightroad throws a head kick but Salmelainen moves out of range.
Nightroad dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Salmelainen. That did some damage!
Salmelainen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Salmelainen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A head kick misses from Nightroad.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nightroad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salmelainen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nightroad. Nightroad obviously looking to wear him down.
Nightroad misses with a double jab.
Nightroad takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Some wild striking there from Nightroad.
Salmelainen doesn't manage to clinch there - Nightroad circles away.
Nightroad tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Salmelainen checks a leg kick.
Nightroad misses with a low kick.
Salmelainen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Salmelainen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Nightroad to score with a decent uppercut.
Nightroad lands with a kick to the temple. Salmelainen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Salmelainen dives in and grabs Nightroad's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nightroad pushes down on Salmelainen's head and hops out.
Able Nightroad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kari Salmelainen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nightroad throws a head kick but Salmelainen moves out of range.
Salmelainen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Nightroad.
Nightroad stuffs the takedown attempt from Salmelainen. Salmelainen gets slowly back to his feet.
Nightroad is looking to slow Salmelainen down with leg kicks.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nightroad.
Nightroad fails to land with a series of punches.
Salmelainen checks a low kick from Nightroad.
Nightroad lands a head kick!
Salmelainen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nightroad lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Salmelainen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nightroad swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nightroad comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Salmelainen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nightroad but Nightroad pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nightroad throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Nightroad fails to land with a series of punches.
Nightroad ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Salmelainen moves away.
Nightroad dodges the punch combination from Salmelainen.
An inside leg kick lands from Nightroad.
Some wild striking there from Nightroad.
Nightroad feints and then cracks Salmelainen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Salmelainen down.
Able Nightroad is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Salmelainen.
Nightroad explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Kari Salmelainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nightroad dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Salmelainen. That did some damage!
Nightroad throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Salmelainen's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Able Nightroad showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nightroad, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:26
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:26
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Able Nightroad!