PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rick James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hamdi Salihi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

James
vs
Salihi

195 cm
19
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

212 cm
18
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the 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, Rick James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hamdi Salihi!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Gregory Folan and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

James closes the distance and clinches.
Salihi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Salihi goes for a takedown in the clinch but James prevents it.
James misses with some punches.
James could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
James misses with a short punch on the inside.
James has a couple of punches blocked by Salihi.

Salihi has dropped down and is working for a takedown. James is trying to keep an underhook but Salihi manages to get the takedown into half guard.
James wants to get back to full guard.
Salihi is nestled in close to James, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Salihi prevents James from standing back up.

Salihi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so James is just riding it out for now. Salihi eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salihi trying to control the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salihi is looking to advance position but James won't allow it.
James avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Salihi.
Salihi lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Salihi seems content to control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Salihi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Salihi is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Salihi lands with a punch from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James trying to hold on to Salihi's head to control him but Salihi postures up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Salihi lands a nice short elbow.

It looks like Rick James has been cut.

Salihi decides to return to a standing position.
James displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Salihi.

Salihi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Salihi looking to control and managing it successfully.
A nice elbow there by Salihi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salihi landing strikes from the mount.
Salihi lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
James tries to lock up and control but Salihi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Salihi in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
James wants to control but Salihi is having none of it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Salihi cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hamdi Salihi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rick James's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

James gets caught flat footed, as Salihi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Salihi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
James utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Salihi is stalling in the full guard.
Hamdi Salihi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Salihi won't allow James to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salihi chips away with some ground and pound.
Salihi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Salihi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Salihi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Salihi stays in close to James's body and controls the position.
James looking to control.
Salihi with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Salihi closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. James did well to prevent Salihi getting side control.
James trying to control from the bottom.
Salihi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
James is trying to stand.
Salihi is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Salihi perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
It looks like Salihi is going to stand back up.
Salihi prevents James from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salihi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Salihi lands with a punch from half guard.
Salihi is nestled in close to James, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Salihi is pressing down on James's thigh, looking to free his foot. James is holding on for now.
James keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salihi passes to side control.
Salihi is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt James will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
James prevents Salihi from moving into mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Salihi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, James has escaped the position, nice work there.
The ground and pound from Salihi seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hamdi Salihi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rick James's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Salihi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but James swivels and escapes.

James closes the distance and pushes Salihi back into the cage.
Salihi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but James gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Salihi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. James fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rick James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hamdi Salihi.
Salihi shoots in and drives through. James sprawls well.

James clinches.
James tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
James is trying to force a seperation but Salihi has the dominant position.
Salihi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Salihi tries to score a body lock takedown but James shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
James misses with the head strike.
Salihi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Salihi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Salihi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
James tries to work over Salihi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Salihi drops down looking for an ankle pick but James pulls his leg out and moves away.

James rushes Salihi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James working aggressively here.
Salihi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from James fails to land.
Salihi blocks an uppercut.
James misses with a punch on the inside.
James tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Salihi's elbow.
Salihi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. James gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
James misses with some punches.
James swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Salihi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but James pulls him back up using the underhooks.
James has a couple of punches blocked by Salihi.
A head punch on the inside from James fails to land.
Salihi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
James working aggressively here.
Salihi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
James has a couple of punches blocked by Salihi.
James is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Salihi keeps control of James as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
James looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
James misses with a short punch on the inside.
Salihi looking for a takedown.
James is looking to control Salihi's arms but Salihi gets an underhook and turns him. Now James has his back to the cage.
James doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

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.
James digs a right hand underneath Salihi's ribcage. Salihi let out a lung full of air as it connected.
The referee is keeping an eye on James - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Salihi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A head punch on the inside from James fails to land.
James lands a shoulder strike.
James is looking to break free of the clinch but Salihi has double underhooks.
Salihi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as James walks away with a smile on his face. Salihi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

James drives through and clinches with Salihi against the cage.
Salihi wants a takedown but no success here.
James misses with a short punch on the inside.
James tries to throw a body punch but Salihi avoids it by throwing James back against the cage.
Salihi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
James working aggressively here.
Salihi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite James's efforts to push away.
James has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Salihi.
Salihi tries for a takedown but James manages to get underhooks.
James is looking to break free of the clinch but Salihi has double underhooks.
Salihi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Salihi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but James pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salihi has James pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. James manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
James tries to circle away but Salihi has him pinned against the cage.
James lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
James is leaning against Salihi and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
James struggles to land a body shot inside as Salihi controls his hands.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Salihi.
Salihi keeps control of James as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Salihi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
James working hard to break the clinch.
James is trying to break the clinch but Salihi has him pressed against the cage.
Salihi blocks an elbow strike.
James fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
James fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
James lands with a short punch from the clinch.
James doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
James doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Salihi has hold of one of James's legs. James is fighting the takedown attempt but Salihi gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Salihi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
James tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Salihi wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James looking to control.
Salihi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as James works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
James working a defensive guard here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Salihi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Salihi has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of James is proving hard to escape from.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick James showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Salihi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 26:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 26:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 26:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hamdi Salihi!