PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Winston Salem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and taj usman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Salem has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Salem
vs
usman

194 cm
18
194 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

182 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, taj usman!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Skip Squint and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
usman scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Salem is breathing heavily.

usman drives through and clinches with Salem against the cage.
usman crunches a lovely knee into Salem's ribcage.
Salem tries to circle away but usman has him pinned against the cage.
usman lands with a light punch inside.
usman is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

usman successfully pulls guard.
usman bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Salem's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

usman drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and usman jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
usman lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
usman trying to control but Salem is working from the bottom.
usman scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
usman trying to control but Salem is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salem can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as usman controls the pace.
usman trying to control the position from guard on top but Salem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
usman is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
usman 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.
Salem will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Despite being in the dominant position, taj usman just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
usman shoots in and drives through. Salem sprawls well.
usman has a takedown stuffed.
Good exchange - usman coming out on top.
usman wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Salem steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from usman. That one must have hurt.
Nice takedown defense from Salem. No joy for usman on that attempt.
Winston Salem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of taj usman.
No luck for usman with that takedown attempt.
Salem throws a body kick the misses

and usman counters with a takedown into side control.
Salem is looking to get back to his feet here but usman is keeping cool and he's managed to take Salem's back.
usman trying to control.
Salem is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
usman lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Salem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salem is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
usman tries to get the hooks in deep but Salem pushed the leg off.
Salem is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

usman looking for the RNC.
Salem looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A bit of a pause in the action here. usman controlling the positon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

usman drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
usman trying to control the position but Salem is working away.
Salem is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but usman has just dragged him back down to the mat.
usman advances nicely into full mount.
usman putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Salem is trying to stand.
Salem is trying to stand but he's just given usman his back.

usman is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Salem defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Salem prevents usman from getting a body triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

usman is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Salem is trying to shake usman off. He's managed it and has hopped back to his feet! usman won't be happy about giving up the dominant position.
Salem thows a leg kick but usman checks it
and usman counters with a nice leg kick.
Salem motions for usman to come forward. Salem throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Salem thows a leg kick but usman checks it
and usman counters with a flying knee. Nice.
A lazy body kick from Salem
and usman counters with a straight right hand.
usman lands with a nice combination. Salem backs away looking to recover.
Winston Salem is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
usman avoids a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
usman tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Salem swivels and escapes.
Salem misses with an attempted mid kick.
Salem motions for usman to come forward. Salem throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Salem pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Winston Salem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A low kick from Salem is predictable there

so usman counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
usman prevents Salem from getting back to his feet.
Salem keeping full guard, as usman tries to pass.
Salem is looking to stand back up but usman counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Salem.
usman stops Salem from getting back to his feet.

Salem makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Salem misses with a kick to the body

and usman counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
usman wants to take a breather but Salem is having none of it.
usman stops Salem from getting back to his feet.
Salem wants to stand back up but usman manages to pass into side control.
usman tries to move to mount but Salem blocks the move with his legs.
usman wants to control but Salem is keeping him busy.
Salem wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
usman cracks Salem with a big right hand but Salem just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Salem sneaks out the side door and pushes usman away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's four 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.
Salem goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
usman takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Salem throws a leg kick

and usman counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by usman.
Salem keeping moving, preventing usman from controlling successfully.
usman stops Salem from standing up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Salem keeping moving, preventing usman from controlling successfully.
usman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Salem swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

taj usman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Salem throws a leg kick that is checked
and usman counters with a big head kick but Salem shrugs it off.

usman takes the fight into the clinch.
usman tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
usman has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Salem avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Salem breaks from the clinch.
usman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
usman tries for a takedown but Salem sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Winston Salem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of taj usman.
A low kick from Salem misses

and usman counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by usman.
Salem working hard to break the clinch.
Salem is trying to break the clinch but usman has him pressed against the cage.
Salem wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
usman stalling in the clinch but Salem improves position.
usman jumps guard but Salem stands there with usman around his waist. usman gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Salem wants to break the clinch but can't.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Salem wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but usman has him pressed against the cage.
Salem has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
usman keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Salem's efforts to push away.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salem looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Salem motions for usman to come forward. Salem throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Salem stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Salem wants it to stay on the feet.
Salem slaps away a takedown attempt from usman, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Salem misses with a low kick.
usman fails with the takedown.
Salem throws a leg kick but usman checks it.
Salem avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
usman shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Salem as he jumps to the side.
A lazy body kick from Salem

and usman counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by usman.
usman jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Salem walks away with a smile on his face. usman gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Salem misses with a leg kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from usman.
usman fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
usman misses with a takedown attempt - Salem sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A lazy body kick from Salem
and usman counters with a leg kick.
A lazy body kick from Salem
and usman counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Salem thows a leg kick but usman checks it

so usman counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

usman decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
No luck with that takedown attempt from usman.
Salem throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

usman gets the takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!

usman decides to stand up, so the ref orders Salem to his feet.
usman shoots for a double leg takedown but Salem sprawls well. He's pushed usman's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salem gets off balance looking for a body kick
and usman counters with a nice uppercut.
Salem looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
usman doesn't manage to clinch there - Salem circles away.
Salem looks to throw a body kick

and usman counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

usman postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Salem to stand up.
Salem throws a leg kick that is checked

so usman counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
usman prevents Salem from getting back to his feet.

Salem pushes usman off and scrambles back to his feet.
Salem displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from usman.
Salem throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and usman counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
usman passes to side control.
Salem wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
usman takes a little break here. Salem wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
usman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Salem keeps working.
usman is putting a hurting on Salem here, landing some big shots from side control.
usman advances nicely into full mount.
Salem tries to buck usman off but usman takes his back!
Salem is trying to stand back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Salem manages to get to his feet, escaping the difficult position.

And that's the end of the fight!
taj usman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well usman 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... taj usman!