PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Winston Salem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Smiley Central (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Winston Salem has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Salem
vs
Central

177 cm
18
157 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

185 cm
18
161 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Boomerang! Fight Costumes ($12 Fun Gear)

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 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Winston Salem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Smiley Central!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Hugh Johnson and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Salem gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Central to score an easy takedown into full guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Central won't allow Salem to get back to his feet.
Central thows a big elbow that misses.
Central prevents Salem from getting back to his feet.
Central working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Central throwing strikes from guard but Salem blocks nicely.
Central in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Central accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Central closes this distance looking for a takedown but Salem circles away.
Salem throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Salem throws a leg kick but Central sees it coming and moves out of range.
Salem misses with an attempted mid kick.
Salem throws a front kick aimed at Central's knee but Central avoids it well.
Salem does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Central keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Salem's head.
Central thows a big elbow that misses.
Salem avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Central accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Central missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Central is working Salem over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Salem is breathing heavily.
Central stops Salem from standing up.
Central has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Central scoring with some ground and pound.
Central lands a couple of elbows.
Central throws a big right hand that misses.
Salem wants to stand but Central is controlling the position.

Salem pushes Central off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Central shoots in looking for a takedown. Salem tries to sprawl out of it but Central keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Salem manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salem misses with a low kick.
Good work by Central as he checks the leg kick.

Central 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.
Central stops Salem from standing up.
Central with a nice head shot there.
Central postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Salem working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Central.
Salem utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Salem is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Central working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Salem utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Salem wants to slow Central down by chopping away at his legs.
Salem will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Salem shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Salem stuffs the takedown attempt from Central. Central gets slowly back to his feet.
Winston Salem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Smiley Central.
Salem does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Salem misses with a low kick.

Central scores with a takedown into Salem's guard.
Central stands up over Salem, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Salem wants to get back to his feet but Central is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Central distracts Salem with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salem working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Central.
Central lands a couple of elbows.
Central loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Central throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Salem utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Salem finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Salem misses with a low kick.
Central scores with a one two! Salem had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Central misses with a wild combination.
Salem misses with a leg kick.
Central shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Salem sprawls well. Salem wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Central gets slowly back to his feet.
Central checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Smiley Central dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Salem is looking to land body kicks.
Central dives in and grabs Salem's left leg, looking for a takedown. Salem pushes down on Central's head and hops out.
An inside leg kick from Salem misses.
Winston Salem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Central shoots for a takedown but Salem saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Central moves out of range as Salem throws a body kick.
Salem defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Central.
Winston Salem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Smiley Central.
Central avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Salem throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Salem slaps away a takedown attempt from Central, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salem tried to score with a low kick but Central checks it.
Salem throws out a leg kick but Central moves out of range and Salem only half commits.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A clash of legs there as Central blocks the low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Central gets the takedown into side control.
Central throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Central in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Salem wants to get back to his feet.
Salem taking a bit of punishment here - Central scoring with strikes.
Central throws a strike aimed at the side of Salem's head but Salem avoids it well.
Salem wants to get back to his feet.
Central throws a strike aimed at the side of Salem's head but Salem avoids it well.
Salem is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Central has just dragged him back down to the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Central lands with a nice combination. Salem backs away looking to recover.
Salem wants to slow Central down by chopping away at his legs.
Salem misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salem stuffs the takedown.
Salem tries to work over Central's front leg with a kick but Central checks it.
Salem attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A leg kick checked by Central.

Central feints and as Salem raises his hands in defense, Central changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Central postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Central trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Central in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Salem is looking to stand up but Central isn't so interested in that idea.
Central working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Salem's head.
Salem wants to get back to his feet but Central is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Central trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Central stops Salem from standing up.

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

Central is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Salem's half guard.
Salem pushes Central off looking to stand but Central dives back in and keeps control.
Central slips a nice elbow through Salem's hands, connecting with Salem's forehead.
Salem wants to get back to his feet.
Salem knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Central on the ground.
Salem trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Central winds up and cracks Salem with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Central not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Central seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Salem is trying to stand up here but Central is controlling him well.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Central takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Central takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Central rushes Salem and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Central fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Central fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Salem blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Central.
Salem tries to stall but Central uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Central misses with a punch on the inside.
Salem wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Central has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Central fails to land.
Central lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Salem.
Salem fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Central scores with a nice short uppercut.
Salem blocking some punches.
Salem tries to break the clinch but Central is controlling the position.
Central fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Salem wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Central has Salem pressed against the cage, preventing Salem from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Salem lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Salem is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Salem is trying to break the clinch but Central has him pressed against the cage.
Central keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Salem's efforts to push away.
Central fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Smiley Central showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Salem looks to land a body kick but Central moved away.

Central shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Salem is trying to defend but Central finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Salem keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Salem is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Central scores with a couple of nice shots.
Central uses his free foot to push down on Salem's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Salem.
Smiley Central has got the better of the ground game so far.
You get the feeling that Salem really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Central unloading with bombs!
Central landing strikes from the mount and Salem is in trouble!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Central has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Salem's face.
Central is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Salem can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Salem is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Central lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Salem is trying to stand.
Central working Salem over with strikes here.
Poor strikes thrown by Central there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Central in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Central lands a big elbow.
Salem is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Salem is in a horrible position here. Central smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Salem wants to get back to his feet.
Central working Salem over with strikes here.
Salem on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Salem tries to get out of the position.
Central lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

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.
Central throwing strikes here but Salem is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Central in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Central connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Central landing punches.
Salem wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Central scoring with strikes but Salem is staying in there.
Central punishing his opponent with strikes.
Salem really wants to buck Central off and get back to his feet.
Central lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Central lands a heavy elbow.
Central unloads with some shots from mount but Salem bucks and avoids them well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salem is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Central has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Salem's face.
Central looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Salem's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Central is landing with some decent strikes but Salem is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Salem is trying to stand.
Central throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Salem because Central loaded up on that one.
Salem is trying to stand up.
Salem is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Salem is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's four 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.
BOOM! Central connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Salem is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Central working Salem over with strikes here.
Central is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Salem is trying to stand.
Central with the ground and pound from mount.
Salem trying desperately to get to his feet.
Central lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Central looking to finish Salem with some ground and pound. This is bad for Salem!
Salem is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Central lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Salem hang on?
Salem is in a horrible position here. Central smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Winston Salem has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The referee warns Salem that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Smiley Central comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Central winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Smiley Central!