PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Oba Martins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mohammed Salazar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Martins
vs
Salazar

185 cm
22
213 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
20
202 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Oba Martins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mohammed Salazar!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Steve Smith and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martins throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Salazar's waist but Salazar gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Martins off to one side.

Martins darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Martins is trying to work for a kimura but Salazar is defending well.

Martins looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Martins is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Salazar is just riding it out for now. Martins eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Martins wants to work for an arm triangle but Salazar is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Salazar is trying to stand.

Martins is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Salazar has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Martins is looking for a kimura here.
Martins is breathing heavily.
Salazar is trying to stand.

Martins is trying to work for a kimura but Salazar is defending well.
Martins trying to mount his opponent but Salazar defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Salazar closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Salazar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Salazar shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Salazar showed some decent athleticism there.

Martins looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Martins is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Salazar pulls his head out easily.

Salazar decides to stand and escape the position.
Martins moves out of range of the leg kick from Salazar.
A bone on bone clash there as Martins blocks the leg kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Salazar swinging wilding here.
Salazar with a poor takedown

and Martins counters with a single leg into guard. Salazar didn't expect that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Salazar tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Salazar tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Salazar with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Salazar throws a leg kick which misses Martins's front leg but catches the back leg as Martins tries to avoid it.

Salazar closes the distance and pushes Martins back into the cage.

Salazar breaks the clinch.
Salazar fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Martins is out of range.
Salazar throws a quick inside leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Salazar closes the distance and clinches.

Salazar manages to break the clinch.
Salazar keeps Martins at a distance using the push kick.

Salazar moves into the clinch successfully.

Salazar breaks the clinch.

Salazar moves into range and clinches up with Martins.

Salazar breaks from the clinch.
A punch combination from Salazar misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salazar takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Salazar shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Salazar walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Martins checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Salazar buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Salazar scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Salazar doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Martins counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martins is looking to advance position but Salazar has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Salazar looking to control and managing it successfully.
Martins really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salazar controlling the pace for now.
Salazar's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohammed Salazar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Salazar tries a head kick but it misses.
Mohammed Salazar seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Salazar feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Martins's calf.
Martins blocks a head kick by Salazar.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Martins takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Martins blocks a low kick nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Salazar shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Martins's guard.

Salazar avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Salazar with a flurry of punches that miss.
Salazar seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Martins has a closed guard, preventing Salazar from standing up.

Martins is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Salazar defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Salazar avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Salazar must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Martins being controlled here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salazar is looking to work some ground and pound but Martins has wrist control.
Martins looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Salazar wants to get up but he can't break Martins's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

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

Salazar closes the distance and clinches.
Martins goes for a takedown in the clinch but Salazar prevents it.
Martins has Salazar pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Salazar manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Salazar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A leg kick checked by Martins.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Salazar.
Mohammed Salazar is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Salazar throws a leg kick that misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Salazar, right into the meat.

Salazar shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Martins working to try and regain half guard.
Salazar tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mohammed Salazar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Salazar has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mohammed Salazar!