PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sami Salama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juha Tappio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tappio has chosen Kari Tapio - Juna kulkee vaan as his entrance music. This should be a great matchup!

Salama
vs
Tappio

180 cm
26
165 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

180 cm
24
165 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sami Salama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juha Tappio!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tappio throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Salama counters with a stiff right hand.
Tappio falls off balance throwing a combination
and Salama counters with a thumping low kick.
Tappio misses with a hook
and Salama counters with a slapping leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Salama looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Salama takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Salama tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Tappio manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Tappio, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tappio looks to score with a jab to the body but Salama is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Salama looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Salama swinging wildly here.
Tappio closes this distance looking for a takedown but Salama circles away.
Tappio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Salama holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Salama.
Tappio drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tappio is working for takedown but Salama is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sami Salama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juha Tappio.
Tappio drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A knee to the head by Salama.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salama lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Salama throws an elbow but it misses.
Salama scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tappio drops down looking for an ankle pick but Salama pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tappio misses with a right hand
and Salama counters with a stiff right hand.
Tappio misses the body punch
and Salama counters with a low kick, right behind Tappio 's knee.
Tappio has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Salama wants to clinch

and Tappio counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Tappio looks gassed!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Salama is pulling down on Tappio's head. It's preventing any offense from Tappio, at least for the moment.
Salama keeping moving, preventing Tappio from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tappio stopping the sweep attempt from Salama.
Salama managing to control the position.
Tappio wants to stand but Salama has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tappio misses with a right hand

and Salama moves into the clinch.
Salama looks to throw an elbow but misses.

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.
Salama putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Tappio in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Tappio goes for a takedown in the clinch but Salama prevents it.
Tappio has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Salama avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Salama prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tappio has Salama pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Salama manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Salama lands a hook that snaps the head of Tappio backwards.
Salama tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Salama lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Tappio drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tappio is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Salama is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Salama lands an elbow just above Tappio 's eye.
Salama gets through Tappio's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Salama lands a damaging elbow.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Knees to the body from Salama.
Salama creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tappio's defenses.
Salama stops a takedown attempt from Tappio.
Salama unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tappio lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Salama lands a knee to the body.
Salama scores with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Salama is looking to clinch but Tappio is avoiding it.
Salama throws a head kick but Tappio moves out of range.
Salama is looking to clinch but Tappio is avoiding it.
Tappio lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Salama fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tappio lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Tappio.
Tappio misses with a body shot.
Tappio throws a lazy uppercut

and Salama counters by moving into the clinch.
Salama landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tappio goes for a takedown in the clinch but Salama prevents it.
Tappio is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salama working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Salama gets underhooks to prevent Tappio's takedown attempt.
Salama landing knees to the body.
Salama scores with a knee to the head.
Salama gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Tappio drops down looking for an ankle pick but Salama pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sami Salama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juha Tappio.
Salama tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Tappio manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Salama instigates a clinch.
Tappio takes an elbow to the forehead.
Salama with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Salama landing knees to the body.
Tappio has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Salama avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tappio tries for a takedown. No joy.
Salama lands an elbow just above Tappio 's eye.
Nice elbow from Salama.
Salama with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Salama is pressed up against the cage. Tappio has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Salama down to the mat. Salama avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Salama fails in his attempt to clinch.
Salama tries to clinch but Tappio moves out of range.
Tappio throws a poor cross that misses

and Salama counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Tappio changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Salama fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tappio swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Salama to counter with a crisp jab.
Tappio misses with an uppercut
and Salama counters with a good, hard body kick but Tappio shrugs it off.
Salama wants to clinch up but Tappio keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salama doesn't manage to clinch there - Tappio circles away.
Tappio misses with a combination

and Salama counters by moving into the clinch.
Tappio takes a knee right on the jaw!
Salama lands a nice elbow.
Tappio has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Salama is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Tappio is working for takedown but Salama is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tappio is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Salama is leaning against Tappio and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Tappio takes an elbow to the temple.
Salama lands an elbow inside.
Salama landing knees to the head.
Salama lands a damaging elbow.
Salama utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Salama working Tappio over with knees to the body.
Salama is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salama misses with a knee to the head.
Salama lands a damaging elbow.
Salama with a knee to the head.
Salama lands a damaging elbow.
Tappio looking for a takedown.
Salama lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Salama lands an elbow inside.
Salama lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Salama lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Salama is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Salama lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Tappio.
Salama lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Salama comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Salama lands a knee to the head.
Tappio tries for a takedown but Salama manages to get underhooks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Salama lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Salama lands a shot to the body.
Salama landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Salama lands an elbow inside.
Salama lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Salama dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Salama instigates a clinch.
Salama stops a takedown attempt from Tappio.
Salama lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Salama lands a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Salama.
Tappio has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Salama avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Salama lands an elbow just above Tappio 's eye.
Salama creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tappio's defenses.
Salama makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Salama throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tappios head.
Salama stops a takedown attempt from Tappio.
Sami Salama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juha Tappio.
Salama comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Salama.
Salama lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Salama lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tappio backwards.
Salama with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Salama landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Salama.
Salama has Tappio pressed against the cage.
Tappio looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salama gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A short left from Salama.
Tappio drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sami Salama has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Salama.
Salama stops a takedown attempt from Tappio.
Salama lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tappio backwards.
Salama lands an elbow inside that Tappio shrugs off.
A knee to the head by Salama.
Salama lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tappio takes an elbow to the temple.
Salama lands a left hand.
Salama landing knees to the head.
Tappio tries for a takedown. No joy.
Salama softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Salama lands a damaging elbow.
Salama crunches a lovely knee into Tappio's ribcage.
Salama lands an elbow that stopped Tappio in his tracks for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salama with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Salama working Tappio over with knees to the body.
Salama lands an elbow inside.
Tappio takes an elbow to the temple.
Tappio takes an elbow to the forehead.
Salama lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tappio backwards.
Salama creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tappio's defenses.
Tappio takes a knee to the side of the body.
Salama lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Salama lands with a right to the head.
Tappio changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Salama fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tappio misses with a double jab

and Salama counters by clinching up.
Salama lands an elbow inside that Tappio shrugs off.
Salama connects with a nasty looking knee right to Tappio's face.
Tappio drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Salama using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tappio takes an elbow to the forehead.
Salama lands an elbow inside that Tappio shrugs off.
Salama lands an elbow inside.
Salama lands a nice elbow.
Salama scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nice elbow from Salama.
Salama stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Salama using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Salama lands a good knee to the midsection. Tappio won't want to take too many of those.
Salama lands with a left to the head.
Salama lands a good knee to the midsection. Tappio won't want to take too many of those.
Salama lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Salama throws a knee to the head but misses.
Salama prevents a takedown attempt there.
Salama lands an elbow inside that Tappio shrugs off.
Salama connects with a knee to the head.
Salama lands an elbow inside.
Tappio goes for a takedown in the clinch but Salama prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Salama.
Tappio is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Salama pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Salama lands a nice elbow.
Tappio tries for a takedown. No joy.
Salama lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tappio backwards.
Salama connects with a nasty looking knee right to Tappio's face.
Salama lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tappio backwards.
Salama gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Salama.
Salama lands an elbow inside.
Salama lands a knee to the head.
Salama lands an elbow inside that Tappio shrugs off.
Salama unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tappio lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Salama prevents the takedown attempt.
Salama lands a nice elbow.
Tappio tries for a takedown but Salama manages to get underhooks.
Salama gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Juha Tappio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Salama lands a knee to the head.
Salama crunches a lovely knee into Tappio's ribcage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sami Salama showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Salama, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sami Salama!