PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kasper Kessler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esko Salo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kessler comes into the arena with Black Eyed Peas - I Got A Feeling blaring out of the sound system. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Kessler
vs
Salo

185 cm
25
180 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

175 cm
20
184 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kasper Kessler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Esko Salo!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salo tries to land a front kick but Kessler steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A cross from Salo lands.
Salo scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kessler doesn't seem bothered though.
Salo lands a really nice looking cross but Kessler seems unphased.
Salo blocks the body kick.
Salo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kessler at a distance.
Salo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kessler.
Kessler tried to score with a low kick but Salo checks it.
Salo tries to clinch up.
Salo moves out of range of the leg kick from Kessler.
Salo throws a combination that misses
and Kessler makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Salo really felt that one!
Nice jab there from Salo.
Salo scores with a jab. Kessler acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kessler throws a left and a right that both miss
and Salo counters with a low kick, right behind Kessler 's knee.
No joy there for Salo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kessler lands with a thumping leg kick.
Salo is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kessler moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Salo lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Salo.
Salo tries to clinch
and Salo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Esko Salo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kessler misses with a kick to the body
and Salo counters with a head kick.
Salo punishes Kessler's body with a nice straight punch.
Salo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Salo punishes Kessler's body with a nice straight punch.
Salo moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kessler throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kessler misses with a double jab.
Kessler looks to score with a jab to the body but Salo is just out of range.
Salo looks to land a left hand but Kessler moved out of range nicely.
Kessler keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kessler connects with a looping right hand.
Salo throws the left hand but Kessler avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kessler slips under a jab.
A big left from Kessler misses.
Kessler misses the jab.
Salo lands with an uppercut that bounces Kessler off the cage and back into rage.
Kessler misses with a leg kick
and Salo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kessler takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Salo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Salo looks to throw the jab but Kessler is out of range.
Salo is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Kessler had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Salo throws a looping overhand right but Kessler ducks down to avoid it.
Salo misses the shot to the body.
Kessler jabs Salo right on the nose. Salo blinks but takes it well.
Salo moves out of range of the body kick from Kessler.
The fighters circling - Kessler throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kessler throws a solid leg kick but Salo takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kessler.
Kessler lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Salo looks gassed!
Kessler lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kessler lands with a right hand.
Kessler chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kessler misses with a body shot.
Salo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A low kick from Kessler misses
and Salo counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Kessler swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kessler scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Salo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kessler scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Salo is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Salo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kessler misses with a few strikes there.
Salo staying out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kessler throws a big shot that misses.
Salo takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kessler!
Kessler tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Salo was well out of range. Poor timing from Kessler.
Kessler throws a series of punches but Salo moves out of range.
Kessler lands a nice leg kick that just misses Salo's sensitive parts.
Kessler lands a jab to Salo's midsection.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kessler.
Kessler lands a jab to the nose.
Jab by Kessler.
Kessler smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A chopping leg kick lands by Kessler.
Kessler lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Salo circles away quickly and effectively.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kessler, right into the meat.
Kessler uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Salo has time to react.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kasper Kessler dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kessler throws the kick towards the body but Salo avoids it.
Kessler looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Salo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Salo has managed to clinch.
Kessler tries to break free but Salo pushes him back against the cage.
Salo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kessler blocks the elbow strike.
A body shot lands from Salo.
Salo landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kessler's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Salo lands with a right to the head.

Kessler breaks the clinch.
Kasper Kessler is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Salo blocks a low kick nicely.
Salo is breathing heavily.
Kessler walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Salo checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
The fighters circle momentarily. Salo darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Salo misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kessler throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Good shot there by Salo.
Salo avoids a kick to the body.
Salo throws out a loose jab but Kessler uses good head movement to avoid it.
Salo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kessler looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kessler throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kessler is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Salo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Salo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kessler ducks under a wild hook from Salo.
Salo darts in trying to clinch
and Kessler counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kessler will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Salo blocks a jab.

That's two 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.
Kessler fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Salo on the side of the head.
Salo with a hook.
Salo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kessler can pounce on him.
Kessler takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Salo on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kessler cracks Salo with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Salo takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Kessler drops Salo with a left right combo! Kessler follows him down to the ground into side control.
Salo being controlled for a moment.
Kessler is chipping away with strikes.
Salo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kessler. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
You can see the frustration on Salo's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kessler works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Salo takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Kessler scores with a couple of short elbows.
Salo gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Kessler has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kessler in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Salo is wriggling around trying to escape.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Salo can do anything to dispel that myth.
Salo is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kessler connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Kessler controlling his opponent.
Kessler has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Salo's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kessler tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Kessler scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Salo?
Kessler tries to control but Salo wriggling away.
Salo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kessler trying to control but Salo is having none of it.
Kessler avoids the attempt from Salo to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kessler scoring with strikes but Salo is staying in there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Salo throws a one two combo.
Salo's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kessler lands with a shot to the body.
Kessler scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kessler throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kessler connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kessler moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kessler fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Salo is out of range.
Kessler throws a push kick but Salo slaps the foot to one side.
Kessler is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Salo can do to turn this around?
Salo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A low kick from Kessler misses
and Salo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kasper Kessler is winning the standup battle so far.
Kessler throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Salo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kessler lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Salo has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Salo and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kessler misses with a two punch combination.
Kessler lands a nice leg kick that just misses Salo's sensitive parts.
Kessler throws a hook but Salo avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kessler buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kessler pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kessler looks to score with a jab to the body but Salo is just out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kessler.
Kessler paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kessler misses with a low kick.
Salo checks a low kick from Kessler.
Salo just misses with a punch to the body.
Salo throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kessler counters with a left to the body.
Kessler misses with a few strikes there.
Kessler throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kessler uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kessler throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kessler throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Salo avoids a kick to the body.
Kessler buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kessler looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kessler looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kessler. Salo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Salo moves out of range of the body kick.
Salo lands with a nice body punch.
Kessler takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kessler swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Salo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Salo moves out of range of the leg kick from Kessler.
Kessler walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Salo checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Salo takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Salo misses the target.
Salo falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kessler counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Salo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Salo looks to throw the jab but Kessler is out of range.
Salo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kessler.
A decent looking cross lands there for Salo.
Kessler takes a swing at Salo's ribcage but misses.

Salo closes the distance and pushes Kessler back into the cage.
Kessler is trying to maintain a safe position but Salo gets an underhook and turns Kessler into the cage.
Salo can't find room to land a body shot as Kessler controls the action.
Kessler blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kessler wants to get back to striking at distance but Salo won't allow it.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Salo takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Kessler looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Salo prevents Kessler from breaking the clinch.
Salo displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kessler up against the cage.
Salo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kessler is defending well for now.

Salo breaks the clinch.
Kessler with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kessler looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kessler throws a sloppy body shot

and Salo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Kessler jumps guard.
Salo wants to control from the top but Kessler keeps moving.
Kessler controlling Salo's posture.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Salo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kasper Kessler clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Salo throws a body punch but Kessler moves out of range.
Kessler misses with a wild combination.
Salo checks the leg kick.
Kessler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kessler misses with a low kick.
A jab from Kessler misses.
Kessler misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kessler throws a series of punches but Salo moves out of range.
Kessler looks for the body kick but Salo saw that one coming.
Salo throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Salo wants to clinch
letting Kessler counter with a right hand.
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.
Kessler on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kessler looks to land a left hand but Salo moved out of range nicely.
Kessler tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Salo was well out of range. Poor timing from Kessler.
Kessler misses with a few strikes there.
Salo tries to clinch but Kessler moves out of range.
Salo lands a nice shot to the body.
Salo throws out a loose jab but Kessler uses good head movement to avoid it.
Salo lands with a right hand.
Kessler tries to land a leg kick but Salo saw it coming and moves away.
Kessler misses the jab.
Salo throws a jab but it's blocked by Kessler.
Salo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kessler.
Kessler lands a lovely overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kessler finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Salo gets a clinch.
Salo swings wildly with an uppercut but Kessler uses good head movement to avoid it.
Salo leaning his opponent against the cage.
Salo prevents Kessler from breaking the clinch.
Salo digs a right hand underneath Kessler's ribcage. Kessler let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kessler blocks an uppercut.
Salo stalling.
Kessler can't break the clinch.
Kessler is trying to break the clinch but Salo is controlling him.
Salo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Salo is looking to control Kessler's arms but Kessler gets an underhook and turns him. Now Salo has his back to the cage.

Kessler successfully pulls guard.
Salo is looking to advance position but Kessler has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Kessler lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Salo hang on?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salo takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Kessler postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Salo looks a forlorn figure.
Kessler looking to control but Salo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Salo is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Salo blocking the ground and pound.
Salo wants to hold on but Kessler pushes him away.
Kessler sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kessler lands a heavy elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kessler tries to push Salo's head away but Salo is holding on tight.
Salo is desperately trying to improve his position but Kessler has a good base and remains in mount.
Kessler throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Salo because Kessler loaded up on that one.
Kessler trying to control but Salo is having none of it.
Kessler misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Salo tries to reverse the position but Kessler maintains control.
Kessler controlling from mount.
Kessler thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kasper Kessler had his way with Esko Salo in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kessler scores with a kick to the body.
Nice shot lands for Salo.
Salo wants to clinch.
Salo wants to clinch up but Kessler keeps it at a distance.
Kessler tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Salo is able to avoid easily.
Kessler pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Salo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Salo chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kessler lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Salo comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Salo is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Salo looks to throw a body kick
and Salo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kessler throws a low kick but Salo avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salo jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Salo takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Salo takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Salo checks a leg kick nicely.
Salo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Salo tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kessler takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kessler shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kessler thows a leg kick but Salo checks it
and Salo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kessler looks to land a body kick but Salo moved away.
The crowd cheers as Kessler lands an impressive looking overhand right. Salo doesn't seem phased though.
Kessler is looking to slow Salo down with leg kicks.
Salo takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A low kick from Kessler is predictable there
and Salo counters with a three punch combo that has Kessler backing up. Kessler nods at Salo to acknowledge the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salo checks a low kick from Kessler.
Kessler attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Salo misses with a double jab.
Kessler feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Salo's calf.
Kessler lands a slapping body shot.
A cross from Kessler lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kessler throws out a powerful jab.
Kessler just misses with a punch to the body.
A solid body kick from Kessler.
Kessler throws a hook to the side of Salo's head but Salo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kessler looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
An inside leg kick lands from Kessler.
Salo has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kessler scoring well with a low kick there.
A left and a right from Kessler both land. Nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kessler misses with a kick to the body
enabling Salo to counter with a crisp jab.
Kessler thows a body shot but no joy.
Kessler throws a low kick, looking for Salo's leg but Salo calmly moves out of range.
Kessler keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Salo.
Kessler walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Salo checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kessler feints and then cracks Salo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Salo down.
Kessler takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kessler will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Esko Salo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kessler throws a leg kick but Salo sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kessler goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kessler tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kessler moves into range and connects with a jab.
Salo misses with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Salo misses.
Salo moves out of range of the leg kick from Kessler.
Salo misses with a hook. Kessler ducked under it nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Salo. Kessler does a little dance to reset his feet.
Salo wants to clinch.
Kessler throws a series of punches but Salo avoids them all with ease.
Kasper Kessler is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Salo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kessler circles away quickly and effectively.
Kessler misses with a body punch
and Salo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kessler fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Salo is out of range.
Kessler misses with a double jab.
Kessler dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kessler swings and misses with a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kasper Kessler showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kessler, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Kasper Kessler!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Kasper Kessler!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Kasper Kessler!

Kasper Kessler wins by unanimous decision!