PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jose Salcedo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luca Borgato (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.

Salcedo
vs
Borgato

184 cm
26
278 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

215 cm
22
258 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

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 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jose Salcedo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luca Borgato!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salcedo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Borgato sprawls well. Borgato wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Salcedo gets slowly back to his feet.
Borgato lets loose with a powerful body kick. Salcedo will feel that in the morning.
Borgato takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Salcedo shoots in for a takedown but Borgato shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Salcedo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose Salcedo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Salcedo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Borgato but Borgato pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A big left from Borgato misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salcedo throws a lazy head kick
and Borgato counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That kick from Borgato tenderised Salcedo's leg. Salcedo is trying to keep his angry face on.
A low kick from Borgato is predictable there

and Salcedo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Salcedo.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Borgato is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Salcedo drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Borgato manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Salcedo has Borgato in his guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Salcedo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Borgato is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Borgato trying to stand up but can't free himself from Salcedo's guard.
Salcedo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Salcedo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Borgato defends it easily.
Salcedo tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Salcedo is looking for a triangle here but Borgato uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Salcedo is trying to get back to half guard.
Salcedo manages to get back to half guard.
Borgato is trying to control. Salcedo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

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.
Borgato keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Salcedo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Borgato pulls his head out easily.
Borgato tries to pass the half guard into mount. Salcedo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Salcedo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Borgato pulls his head out easily.
Borgato takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Salcedo is looking to improve his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Borgato in particular looking to stall.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Salcedo wants to improve his position but Borgato is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luca Borgato dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Salcedo doesn't manage to clinch there - Borgato circles away.
Borgato throws a body kick the misses

and Salcedo counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Borgato's guard now.
Borgato keeping full guard, as Salcedo tries to pass.
Salcedo throwing strikes but missing.
Salcedo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Salcedo trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Borgato manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Borgato sitting in guard here, content to control.

Salcedo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Borgato defends it easily.

Salcedo looking for subs off his back but Borgato has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Salcedo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Borgato pulls his head out easily.
Salcedo is looking to get back to full guard here but Borgato has managed to pass to side control instead.
Salcedo tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Borgato presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Salcedo can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salcedo is trying to reverse the position but instead Borgato has taken his back - oops!
Borgato doesn't have the hooks in and Salcedo manages to turn into his guard.
Borgato working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Salcedo.
Borgato looking for a sweep. Not yet Borgato, not yet.
Salcedo looking to pass the guard.
Salcedo postures up in Borgato's guard and throws a big left but Borgato blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Borgato keeping full guard, as Salcedo tries to pass.

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

Salcedo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Borgato is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Salcedo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Borgato can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jose Salcedo will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Borgato throws a leg kick

and Salcedo counters with a nice double leg into side control. Borgato won't be happy with that.

Salcedo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Borgato tries to buck Salcedo off but Salcedo is having none of it.
Salcedo scores with punches from side control.

Salcedo looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Salcedo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salcedo misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Salcedo throwing strikes but Borgato manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Salcedo tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Borgato presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Salcedo is trying desperately to improve position.
Borgato really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Salcedo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Salcedo is working hard here to advance 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.
Salcedo manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Salcedo is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salcedo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Salcedo works his way to full guard. Good work.
Salcedo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Borgato must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four 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.

Salcedo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Borgato avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Borgato stopping the sweep attempt from Salcedo.

Borgato got a little sloppy there for a moment and Salcedo has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Borgato has managed to get both his arms back between Salcedo's legs - danger averted.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jose Salcedo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Salcedo has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Suge Night scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jose Salcedo!