PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Geoff Deal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jenni Salonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jenni Salonen has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Geoff Deal's chin.

Deal
vs
Salonen

168 cm
22
136 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

157 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Geoff Deal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jenni Salonen!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salonen shoots in for a takedown but Deal shows good takedown defense.
Salonen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Salonen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Geoff Deal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jenni Salonen.
Salonen looks for a takedown but Deal sprawls well.

Deal gets caught flat footed, as Salonen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Salonen looking to sit in guard and control but Deal gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Salonen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Deal is one step ahead there.
Salonen lands some strikes from the bottom.
Deal stopping the sweep attempt from Salonen.
Salonen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Deal manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deal preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Salonen wants to stand but Deal has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Salonen is looking to work some ground and pound but Deal has wrist control.
Deal tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Deal will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Deal is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Deal controlling Salonen's posture.
Salonen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Deal tries to strike from the bottom.
Salonen thows a big elbow that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Salonen walks forward, straight into a front kick from Deal.

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.

Salonen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Deal is breathing heavily.
Salonen trying to mount his opponent but Deal defends it.
Salonen drops an elbow to the side of Deal's head.
Deal is doing well to control the position and prevent Salonen from advancing to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Salonen prevents Deal from standing back up.
Salonen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Deal. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Deal trying to control here.
Deal blocking the ground and pound attempt from Salonen.
Salonen wants to pass to mount but Deal is defending the position.
Salonen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Deal!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salonen working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Salonen has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Deal's face.
Salonen in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
A nice elbow there by Salonen.
Salonen prevents Deal from getting the reversal.
Deal in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Deal is in all sorts of trouble here.
Deal is squirming around, avoiding Salonen's attempts to control the action.
Deal is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Deal keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salonen unloads with some shots from mount but Deal bucks and avoids them well.
Salonen throwing strikes but Deal uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Deal has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Salonen is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Deal lands a body shot.
Salonen shoots in for a double leg but Deal sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Deal shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Salonen counters by clinching up.
Salonen is pressed up against the cage. Deal has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Salonen down to the mat. Salonen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Salonen wants to clinch.
Salonen shoots and misses
and Deal counters with a solid body kick.
Deal scores with a decent looking hook.
Deal fails in his attempt to clinch.
Deal fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Salonen misses with a head kick.
Salonen tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Deal counters by moving into the clinch.
Salonen can't get the takedown.

Deal decides to pull guard.
Salonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Deal is retaining full guard.
Salonen with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jenni Salonen dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Deal circles away from the clinch attempt
and Deal counters with a nice kick to the body.

Salonen moves into the clinch.
Salonen is working for takedown but Deal is calmly controlling the position for now.
Deal gets underhooks to prevent Salonen's takedown attempt.
Deal wants to break free but Salonen has control.

Deal breaks the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Deal. No joy for Salonen on that attempt.
Geoff Deal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jenni Salonen.

Deal fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Salonen, pushing him back against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Salonen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Deal pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Deal wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Deal can't get the takedown.

Deal decides to pull guard.
Salonen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Salonen is in close to Deal's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Salonen cracks Deal with a solid left hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Salonen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Salonen throwing strikes but missing.
Salonen trying to control but Deal is working from the bottom.
Deal thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Salonen pushing down on Deal's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Salonen throwing shots but Deal is blocking nicely.
Salonen wants to stand but Deal has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Deal has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Salonen is working away from the top position though.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Deal lands a front kick.
Deal thows a left - swing and a miss!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Deal using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Salonen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

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.
Salonen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Salonen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Deal gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Salonen.
Deal gets underhooks to prevent Salonen's takedown attempt.

Deal breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Salonen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Deal is fending him off so far but Salonen persists. Nope, Deal circles away and we're back to standing.

Deal darts in and clinches Salonen up against the cage.

Salonen has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Deal clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Salonen throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Salonen scores with punches and elbows.
Deal avoids the strikes from Salonen.
Deal turns into Salonen and is now in his guard.

Salonen has his foot on Deal's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Deal works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Deal gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Salonen looks to clinch
and Deal counters with an inside leg kick.
Salonen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Salonen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Deal circles away.
Salonen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Deal misses with a takedown

and Salonen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Salonen.
Deal is looking to stand up but Salonen isn't so interested in that idea.
Salonen looking to pass the guard.
Salonen throwing strikes from guard but Deal blocks nicely.
Deal is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Salonen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salonen wants to control from the top but Deal keeps moving.
Salonen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jenni Salonen has got the better of the ground game so far.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Salonen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Deal as he jumps to the side.
Salonen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Deal fails with a takedown attempt.

Salonen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Salonen with good strikes from the mount here!
Deal tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jenni Salonen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Deal keeps the fight on the outside.

Salonen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Salonen throws a strike but Deal avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Salonen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Salonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Deal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Salonen lands a couple of elbows.
Salonen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Salonen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Salonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Deal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Salonen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Deal lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Jenni Salonen has been cut.
Deal throws a leg kick but Salonen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Deal fails with the takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Salonen looks to clinch
and Deal counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deal shoots in but no luck this time.
Geoff Deal is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Salonen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Salonen misses with a hook to the body

and Deal holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Deal tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Deal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Salonen with a lazy takedown attempt
and Deal makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Salonen throws a looping overhand right but Deal ducks down to avoid it.
Deal looks for a takedown but Salonen sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Geoff Deal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Salonen tries for a takedown but Deal sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice shot lands for Deal.
Deal stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Salonen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Deal sprawls well initially but Salonen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Salonen is thwarting Deal's attempts to control the position.
Deal is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deal is looking to control Salonen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Deal avoid being mounted?
Salonen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Deal does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Salonen seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Deal is pressing down on Salonen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Salonen wants to control from the top but Deal keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Deal wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Jenni Salonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Salonen tries to clinch up but Deal circles away and keeps his distance.
Deal throws the kick towards the body but Salonen avoids it.
Salonen wants to clinch.
Deal stuffs the takedown.
Salonen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salonen looks for a takedown but Deal sprawls well.
Salonen tries to close the distance and clinch but Deal swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Salonen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Deal avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Salonen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Deal is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Salonen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Salonen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Deal keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Deal fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four 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.
Deal shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Salonen but Salonen pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Salonen scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Deal is working to avoid the ground and pound but Salonen connects with a decent elbow.
Deal regains half guard, as Salonen was trying to land strikes.
Salonen throwing shots but Deal is blocking nicely.
Geoff Deal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Salonen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Salonen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Salonen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Salonen stalling away here and it's allowed Deal to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Salonen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jenni Salonen.
I've got Salonen 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jenni Salonen!