PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Manny Powers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timo Salonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Powers
vs
Salonen

179 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
22
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes comics

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

Hardcore Nutrition

Hardcore Nutrition
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Manny Powers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Timo Salonen!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Alan Glass and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salonen is looking to clinch but Powers is avoiding it.
Salonen wants to clinch.

Salonen closes the distance and clinches.
Powers prevents a body shot from Salonen.
Powers blocks an elbow strike from Salonen.
Salonen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Powers tries to pull guard but Salonen holds him up against the cage and eventually Powers drops back down to his feet.
Salonen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Powers's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Powers pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Salonen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Salonen tries to clinch but Powers moves away
and Powers counters with a big head kick but Salonen shrugs it off.

Salonen closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Salonen manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Powers is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Manny Powers wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Salonen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Powers swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Powers circles away from the clinch attempt.

Powers rushes Salonen and presses him up against the cage.
Powers tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Salonen smiles and moves away.
Salonen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salonen is looking to clinch but Powers is avoiding it.
Powers shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Salonen sprawls well. Salonen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Powers gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manny Powers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Powers circles away from the clinch attempt

and Powers counters with a single leg into guard. Salonen didn't expect that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Powers sitting in guard here, content to control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Salonen wants to stand and escape but Powers is having none of it.
Salonen keeping full guard, as Powers tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Manny Powers has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Salonen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Powers paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Powers takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Salonen tries to clinch up but Powers circles away and keeps his distance.
Salonen wants to clinch
and Powers counters with a one-two to the body.
Powers throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Salonen's waist but Salonen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Powers off to one side.
Powers misses with a head kick.

Powers has Salonen up against the cage in a clinch.
Salonen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Salonen is trying to stall.
Salonen lands an elbow inside.
Powers is working for takedown but Salonen is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Powers manages to pull guard.
Powers wants to sweep here but Salonen controlling him for the moment.
Salonen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Powers holds on and takes a little breather.
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!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Salonen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Salonen enables Powers to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Salonen manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Powers controlling from the top position.

Powers drops back looking for a leg! Salonen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Salonen manages to kick Powers off! Powers jumps back into Salonen's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Powers dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Powers fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Salonen, pushing him back against the cage.
Salonen throws an elbow that misses.
Salonen lands a hook that snaps the head of Powers backwards.
Salonen stops a takedown attempt from Powers.
Salonen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nice elbow from Salonen.
Powers looking to stall.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Powers.
Salonen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Salonen goes for a takedown attempt but Powers pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Salonen moves forwards but Powers connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salonen looks to clinch

and Powers counters with a head kick that drops Salonen to the mat! Salonen scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!

Salonen is rocked!
Timo Salonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Salonen closes the distance but Powers moves to the side
and Powers counters with a series of strikes that practically lifts Salonen off his feet! He tumbles backwards, his head bouncing off the mat - Powers follows up with more strikes before the ref can step in but Salonen was out before he hit the floor.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Manny Powers!