PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jon Saltzman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Messinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Messinger has chosen Huckleberry by Ichabod as his entrance music. Will Messinger is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Saltzman
vs
Messinger

180 cm
20
155 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

170 cm
35
160 lbs
14 - 21 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jon Saltzman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Will Messinger!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Messinger shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Saltzman napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Saltzman looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Messinger stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Saltzman shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Messinger moves into the clinch.

Messinger breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Messinger shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Messinger stands up and waves to Saltzman to follow him.
Donk. Messinger catches Saltzman right on the button with a cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Saltzman gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Messinger to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Messinger trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messinger trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Messinger trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Messinger throws a big right hand that misses.
Messinger postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Saltzman can't keep his opponent in guard - Messinger advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Messinger has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Messinger working Saltzman over with strikes.

Messinger gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Messinger fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Saltzman sprawls well initially but Messinger persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Messinger looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Messinger seems to be looking for submissions.

Messinger stands up out of the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Messinger rushes Saltzman and presses him up against the cage.
Messinger content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Messinger has clasped his hands together around Saltzman's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Messinger in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Messinger stands up.

Messinger drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Messinger trying to control the position from guard on top but Saltzman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Messinger stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Messinger wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Messinger lands with a slapping head kick.

Messinger clinches up with Saltzman and pushes him back against the cage.

Messinger wants the takedown. Saltzman is fighting it off but Messinger persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Saltzman's guard against the cage.
Messinger distracts Saltzman with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Messinger scoring with punches to the head and body.
Messinger postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Messinger gets to his feet. Saltzman looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Messinger cracks Saltzman with an open hand slap.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Will Messinger dominated that round.
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.

Messinger gets a takedown into half guard.
Saltzman knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Messinger on the ground.
Saltzman won't allow Messinger to pass to mount.
Messinger missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Messinger moves into full mount! Saltzman won't be happy about that!

Messinger is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Saltzman to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Saltzman shrugs it off.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Messinger putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Messinger has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messinger is landing with some decent strikes but Saltzman is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Saltzman is rocked!

Messinger working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Saltzman turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Messinger off and cradles Saltzman's limp body as Messinger celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:31 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Will Messinger!
A less than humble Will Messinger misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.