PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Cold Cat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miguel Salazar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cat
vs
Salazar

197 cm
23
203 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
190 lbs
9 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Cold Cat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Miguel Salazar!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Tiny Johnson and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salazar lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Salazar takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
No luck for Salazar with that takedown attempt.
Cat has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Cat there as he acknowledges the shot.
Cat stuffs the takedown.
Salazar tries to move into range but Cat moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Salazar slips under a jab.
Cat misses with a hook.
Salazar misses with a hook
and Cat counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Salazar tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cat was well out of range. Poor timing from Salazar.

Salazar gets the takedown into side control.
Cat is holding Salazar down, trying to stall.
Salazar trying to control the position but Cat is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cat regains half guard, as Salazar was trying to land strikes.

Salazar is working for a submission of some sort.

Salazar is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cat doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Salazar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Salazar in particular looking to stall.

Salazar is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cat has managed to free his arm - good work.
Salazar is trying to control. Cat wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Salazar looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Salazar is working for a kimura here but Cat manages to reverse the position and he's now in Salazar's guard.
Cat will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cat tries to free his leg and advance position but Salazar is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Salazar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Salazar throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Cat escapes and throws Salazar's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Salazar is trying to control Cat's posture but Cat avoids it.
Salazar tries to buck Cat off but Cat is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Miguel Salazar will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Salazar throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cat sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Salazar bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Salazar scores a takedown into full mount!
Cat holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Salazar tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Salazar trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Salazar throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Salazar throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Cat because Salazar loaded up on that one.

Salazar moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Cat has worked his arm free - good work by Cat!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salazar trying to control the action but Cat is working from the bottom.
Cat takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

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.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Salazar is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Cat knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Cat gets back to half guard.
Cat wants to control but Salazar is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salazar trying to control from half guard but Cat is working away.
Salazar missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Salazar thows a huge punch but Cat dodges it nicely.

Salazar is looking for a kimura but Cat is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Salazar to get the leverage.
Salazar trying to control the action but Cat is working from the bottom.
Salazar missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

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.
Salazar controlling the action here.
Salazar not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Salazar not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cat is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Salazar's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Salazar's back!
Cat is hanging on to Salazar's back as he tries to escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Salazar trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Salazar can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miguel Salazar 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!

Salazar throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Cat counters with an inside leg kick.

Salazar decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Salazar is looking for a kimura but Cat is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Salazar to get the leverage.
Salazar is trying to control. Cat wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Cat slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Salazar wants to control from the top but Cat keeps moving.
Salazar is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Salazar tries to free his leg and advance position but Cat is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Salazar drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Cat manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Salazar has Cat in his guard.

Salazar is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cat is aware though and is defending well.
Salazar takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cat pushing down on Salazar's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Salazar throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Salazar is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Salazar works his way to full guard. Good work.
Salazar looking to control.
Cold Cat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Salazar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Salazar working for a triangle but Cat defends it easily.
Salazar trying to strike off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Salazar has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Cat is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Salazar.
The referee asks Cat politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Cat prefers to stall for the moment though.
Miguel Salazar is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A control attempt from Salazar but he's now mounted!

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.
Salazar really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Salazar wants to control but Cat is having none of it.
Salazar is looking to get to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cat putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

And that's the end of the fight!
Cold Cat showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Salazar 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Miguel Salazar!