PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sami Salama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jukka Pekka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jukka Pekka told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Salama
vs
Pekka

180 cm
22
165 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
156 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

♦Xplode Nutrition♦

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sami Salama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jukka Pekka!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pekka is looking to clinch but Salama is avoiding it.
Pekka blocks a head kick by Salama.
Salama pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Salama looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A solid leg kick lands there for Salama.
Salama throws a head kick but Pekka moves out of range.
Pekka shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Salama defends it nicely.
Salama pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Pekka tries to keep at a distance but Salama has taken the fight into the clinch.
Salama crunches a lovely knee into Pekka's ribcage.
Salama putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Pekka in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Pekka takes a knee to the side of the body.
Salama trying to land knees to the body.
Pekka avoiding damage as Salama throws knees to the body.
Salama landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Salama using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pekka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Pekka fails to pull guard.
Salama putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Pekka in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salama lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Salama tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pekka avoids it.
Pekka tries for a takedown but Salama manages to get underhooks.
Sami Salama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jukka Pekka.
Pekka looks gassed!
Salama is leaning against Pekka and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Salama is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Pekka fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Knees to the body from Salama.
Salama lands a body punch in the clinch.
Knees to the body from Salama.
Salama lands an elbow just above Pekka 's eye.
Salama lands a nice shot to the body.
Salama scores with a hook to the body.
Salama connects with a knee to the head.
Salama lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Salama stalling against the cage.
Salama gets underhooks to prevent Pekka's takedown attempt.
Salama lands an elbow just above Pekka 's eye.
Salama connects with a knee to the head.
Salama landing knees to the head.
The referee calls for Salama to work.
Salama utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pekka takes a knee right on the jaw!
A knee to the head by Salama.
Pekka fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Salama putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Pekka in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Salama pushes Pekka back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Salama landing knees to the head.
Salama has Pekka pushed against the cage.
Pekka goes for a takedown attempt but Salama pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Salama scores with a head kick.
Salama feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Pekka's calf.
Salama scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Pekka throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Salama's waist but Salama gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pekka off to one side.
Sami Salama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Salama connects with a looping right hand.
Salama goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Salama.
Salama throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Pekka's head.
Salama cracks Pekka with a good jab.
Pekka avoids the head kick by Salama.
A head kick misses from Salama.
Salama keeps the fight on the outside.
Salama throws a nice head kick!
Pekka takes a kick to the side of the head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pekka.
Pekka tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Salama swivels and escapes.
A chopping leg kick lands by Salama.
Pekka stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Salama.
Pekka takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salama pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Salama lands a with a good body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A good leg kick by Salama.
Nice body kick from Salama.
Salama throws a nice outside leg kick.
Salama throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Pekka's head.

Salama closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Salama gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Pekka.
Pekka is trying desperately to land a takedown but Salama is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Pekka.
Pekka takes an elbow to the temple.
Salama lands an elbow inside that Pekka shrugs off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Salama throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pekka blocks it with crossed arms.
Pekka takes an elbow to the temple.
Salama lands a knee to the head.
Salama creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Pekka's defenses.
Salama presses Pekka against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Salama lands a nice knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Salama dominated that round.
That's time! Salama's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Pekka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Salama. Salama obviously looking to wear him down.
Pekka throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Salama's waist but Salama gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pekka off to one side.
Pekka scores with a jab to the head.

Salama clinches with his opponent.
Nice elbow from Salama.
Salama tries to land knees in the clinch but Pekka avoids the damage to the body.
Pekka's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Salama is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Salama's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Salama throws out a powerful jab.
Salama throws a leg kick which misses Pekka's front leg but catches the back leg as Pekka tries to avoid it.
Salama throws a head kick that half lands.

Salama gets a clinch.
Salama landing knees to the body.
Salama will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Pekka up against the cage.
Sami Salama has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Knees to the body from Salama.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Salama comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salama with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Salama is leaning against Pekka and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Salama crunches a lovely knee into Pekka's ribcage.
Salama stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Salama lands a damaging elbow.
A short body shot lands from Salama as the two fighters clinch.
Salama using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Salama.
Salama stalls.
Pekka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Salama just stands there and leans against the cage.
Knees to the body from Salama.

Salama breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Salama throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Salama smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Salama throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pekka will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sami Salama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jukka Pekka.
Salama lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salama throws a nice head kick!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Salama, as that shot connected.
Pekka will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pekka takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A head kick misses from Salama.
Salama fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Pekka.
Salama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Salama keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Salama pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sami Salama is winning the standup battle so far.
Salama scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Pekka fails with the takedown.

Salama instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salama stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Salama lands a knee to the head.
Salama putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Pekka in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Salama with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Salama keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Pekka's efforts to push away.
Pekka takes a knee to the side of the body.
Salama content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Salama tries a knee to the head but Pekka blocks it.
Salama stops a takedown attempt from Pekka.
Salama crunches a lovely knee into Pekka's ribcage.
Pekka letting Salama take a breather here.
Pekka is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Salama gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Salama creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Salama is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pekka can do to turn this around?
Pekka trying to stall but Salama improves his position.
Pekka takes a knee right on the jaw!
Pekka is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Pekka fails to pull guard.
Pekka tries for a takedown but Salama manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salama utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Salama utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Salama.
Salama scores a nice knee to the body.
Pekka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A shot in the inside from Salama.
Salama lands an elbow just above Pekka 's eye.
Pekka tries to pull guard but Salama holds him up against the cage and eventually Pekka drops back down to his feet.
Salama using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Pekka has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Salama is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Salama lands an elbow that stopped Pekka in his tracks for a moment.
A short body shot lands from Salama as the two fighters clinch.
Salama lands a knee to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pekka fails to pull guard.
Salama works on Pekka's body with a couple of short punches.
Salama creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Pekka's defenses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Salama obliges.
Pekka jumps guard but Salama stands there with Pekka around his waist. Pekka gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Salama dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Salama throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Salama lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Pekka fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Salama throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Salama lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Pekka backs up against the cage.
Pekka slips a jab and a cross from Salama.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Pekka takes a knee to the side of the body.
Salama landing knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pekka is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Salama gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Knees in the clinch landing for Salama.
Nice elbow from Salama.
Pekka fails to pull guard.
Sami Salama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jukka Pekka.
Salama lands a knee to the head.
Pekka managing to block the knees to the body from Salama.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekka avoiding damage as Salama throws knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Salama is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Salama is trying to maintain a safe position but Pekka gets an underhook and turns Salama into the cage.
Pekka managing to block the knees to the body from Salama.
Salama lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Pekka working hard to break the clinch.
Salama tries to land a knee to the head but Pekka blocks with his arms.
Pekka wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Salama has him pressed against the cage.
Salama connects with a nasty looking knee right to Pekka's face.
Pekka wants a takedown but no success here.
Salama lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Salama lands an elbow inside.
Salama landing knees to the head.
Salama tries a knee to the head but Pekka blocks it.

Pekka jumps guard and drags Salama to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Pekka being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Salama wanted to stand there but Pekka had control of the position.
Salama stopping the sweep attempt from Pekka.
Salama 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salama is looking to stand up but Pekka won't let him.
Salama controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Salama gets to his feet - Pekka follows without any prompting.
Salama with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Pekka fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Pekka has a takedown stuffed.
Pekka takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Salama closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Pekka jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Salama walks away with a smile on his face. Pekka gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Salama closes the distance and clinches.
Salama connects with a knee to the head.
Salama stops a takedown attempt from Pekka.
Salama leaning against his opponent.
Salama stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Salama lands a nice uppercut.
Salama lands an elbow inside.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Salama obliges.
Salama presses Pekka against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Pekka takes a knee right on the jaw!
Jukka Pekka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Good body shot from Salama.
A bit of stalling here from Salama.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sami Salama showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Salama 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:25
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:25
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sami Salama!