PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Robert Power (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jenni Salonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Robert Power has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Power
vs
Salonen

178 cm
22
145 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

157 cm
21
130 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Robert Power!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jenni Salonen!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksandr Martynov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Power misses with a jab, cross combination.

Power lands a big head kick that sends Salonen tumbling to the mat! Power takes a step backwards and waves Salonen back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Jenni Salonen has been cut.
Horrible takedown by Salonen or perhaps it was just good defense by Power which made him look bad.
Salonen fails with a takedown attempt.

Salonen is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Power's half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Salonen throwing shots but Power is blocking nicely.
Salonen is thwarting Power's attempts to control the position.
Salonen lands with a punch from half guard.
Salonen is nestled in close to Power, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Power gets full guard.
Salonen preventing the sweep.
Salonen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Salonen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Power looking to control.
Salonen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Power wants to get back to his feet but Salonen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Salonen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Power holds on and takes a little breather.
Salonen is looking to work some ground and pound but Power has wrist control.
Salonen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Power. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Salonen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Power's head.
Power is trying to control the position but Salonen postures up.

Power scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Salonen takes the fight into the clinch.
Power lands a body punch in the clinch.

Power escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Power goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Power scores with a one two! Salonen had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That has opened up Jenni Salonen's cut even more.
Power is breathing heavily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Salonen shoots in and drives through. Power sprawls well.
Robert Power has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jenni Salonen.
Power shoots in for a double leg but Salonen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Power moves into the clinch successfully.
Salonen being controlled against the cage.
A short uppercut from Power.

Power breaks from the clinch.
Salonen tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Power counters with a three punch combo that has Salonen backing up. Salonen nods at Power to acknowledge the strikes.

Salonen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Power did well to prevent Salonen getting side control.
Salonen throwing shots but Power is blocking nicely.
Salonen trying to mount his opponent but Power defends it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Salonen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Salonen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Power avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Salonen.
Power is looking to control Salonen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Power avoid being mounted?
Salonen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Power's head.
Power slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Salonen is looking to work some ground and pound but Power has wrist control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Power fakes the leg kick and cracks Salonen in the body.
Salonen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Power ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Power stalks Salonen and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Salonen's face. Salonen staggers backwards, shaken.
Power scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Salonen misses with a takedown
and Power counters with a head kick. That will keep Salonen thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salonen doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Power counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Salonen!
Salonen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Power tries to control but Salonen wriggling away.
Power sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Power dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jenni Salonen's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Power throws a nice looking combination but Salonen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice takedown defense from Power. No joy for Salonen on that attempt.
A combination from Power does no damage.
Salonen tries for a takedown but Power circles away easily

and Power counters with a shoot takedown. Salonen fights it but they end up in guard.

Power gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Power moves into range and clinches up with Salonen.
Power leaning against his opponent.
A hook to the body from Power.
Power is working Salonen over against the cage.
Power looking to slow down the pace here.
Power is stalling here.
Power comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Salonen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Power gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Robert Power has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jenni Salonen.

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

Power has managed to clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Power lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Salonen has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Power regains guard immediately.

Power pushes Salonen off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Power scores with a one two! Salonen had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Salonen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Power counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Salonen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Power tries to avoid it but Salonen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Power to the ground. Power escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Power lands a jab-cross combination.

Salonen tries to keep at a distance but Power has taken the fight into the clinch.
Power tries to land knees in the clinch but Salonen avoids the damage to the body.
Power gets underhooks to prevent Salonen's takedown attempt.
Power lands a nice elbow.
Salonen tries for a takedown but Power manages to get underhooks.
Power landing knees to the head.
Power prevents the takedown attempt.
Power stalls.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Power prevents the takedown attempt.
Power is pressed up against the cage. Salonen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Power down to the mat. Power avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Some wild striking there from Power.
Salonen fails to land the takedown.
Salonen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Power is fending him off so far but Salonen persists. Nope, Power circles away and we're back to standing.
Power scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Salonen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Salonen cracks Power with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Salonen gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Power to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Power will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Salonen pulls Power in close to his closed guard and prevents Power from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Power decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Salonen is looking to clinch but Power is avoiding it.
Power scores with a one two! Salonen had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Robert Power is winning the standup battle so far.
Power lands a two punch combo.
A punch combination from Power misses.

Salonen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Power was covering up waiting for the punch and Salonen finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salonen thows a big elbow that misses.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Salonen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Salonen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Power wants to sweep but no luck.
Salonen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Salonen throws a strike but Power rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Salonen keeping moving, preventing Power from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Power dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jenni Salonen's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Power throws a series of strikes that have Salonen backpedaling.
Salonen fails with the takedown
and Power counters with a left and a right that stings Salonen.
Power listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Power throws a series of punches but Salonen avoids them all with ease.
Salonen tries for a takedown but Power circles away easily

and Power counters by clinching up.

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

Salonen drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Salonen stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Power has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Salonen manages to get his head free but now Power has transitioned to an armbar! Salonen grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Power! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:51 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Robert Power!