PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tiimu Salaani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Volkov has chosen Major Lazer & DJ Snake - Lean On (feat. MØ) as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Salaani
vs
Volkov

194 cm
18
185 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
192 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

GREEN!160
Mohito Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tiimu Salaani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexander Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov slips a jab and a cross from Salaani.
Volkov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Salaani defends it well.
Salaani scores with a shot to the body.
A cross from Salaani lands.
Salaani scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Volkov doesn't seem bothered though.
Salaani swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A lazy left from Salaani finds it's target.
Salaani throws out a loose jab but Volkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov walks into a stiff left hand from Salaani.
Nice defenses there by Volkov.
Salaani scores with a hook.
Salaani lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salaani digs a good hook to Volkov's body.
Volkov tries to move into range but Salaani moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Volkov throws an off balance right hand
enabling Salaani to counter with a crisp jab.
Volkov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Salaani.
Salaani throws a body punch but Volkov moves out of range.
Salaani scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Volkov doesn't seem bothered though.
Salaani cracks Volkov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Salaani scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Volkov doesn't seem bothered though.
Salaani throws a hook but Volkov blocks it.
Volkov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salaani lands a head shot.
Volkov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nice cross by Salaani.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Salaani scores with the left hand. Volkov knows he should have avoided that one.
Salaani lands with a right hand.
Salaani lands a lovely overhand right.
Salaani swinging wildly here.
Left hook, right uppercut from Salaani.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salaani swings for the body but Volkov moves out of range.
Volkov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Salaani stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Salaani cracks a nice hook into Volkov's ribs.
Good standup being displayed there by Salaani as he connects with a hook.
Salaani misses with a wild body shot.
Salaani lands with an overhand left.
A nice combination there by Salaani.
Volkov misses with a left hand
and Salaani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Salaani connects with a right hand. Volkov shakes it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salaani looks to land a right hand but Volkov moved out of range.
Volkov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Salaani lands with a hook. Volkov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Volkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Salaani throwing a counter right hand but Volkov manages to avoid it.
Tiimu Salaani is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Volkov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Salaani.
A telegraphed right hand from Salaani misses the target.
Volkov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Salaani with a jab.
A combination from Salaani does no damage.
Salaani steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Volkov.
Salaani lands with a straight right. Volkov didn't see that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tiimu Salaani dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Salaani throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Salaani scores with a crisp jab that stopped Volkov in his tracks.
Salaani waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Volkov.
Volkov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Salaani connects with a body shot that sends Volkov's belly button to the back.
Volkov takes one to the side of the head.
Tiimu Salaani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Salaani throws a hook but Volkov avoids it easily.
Volkov feints the counter takedown.
Volkov tries to land a leg kick but Salaani saw it coming and moves away.
Salaani is looking to counter punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salaani dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Salaani thuds his right hand into Volkov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Salaani looks to land a combination. Volkov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salaani throws a shot from downtown. Volkov moves away and avoids it.
Salaani lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Volkov dodges the punch combination from Salaani.
Volkov with the counter takedown but Salaani avoids it easily.
Salaani works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Volkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Salaani.
Volkov misses with a looping left.
Salaani lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Salaani.
Volkov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Salaani finds it's way through Volkov's defenses.
Salaani throws an overhand right that lands on Volkov's shoulder, as Volkov tries to avoid the shot.
Volkov with the counter takedown but Salaani avoids it easily.
Nice defenses there by Volkov.
Salaani throws a good cross that connects.
Volkov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Volkov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Tiimu Salaani is winning the standup battle so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Salaani sizes up Volkov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Salaani thuds a left hand into Volkov's body.
Salaani thuds a left hand into Volkov's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salaani ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Volkov moves away.
Volkov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Salaani defends it well.
Volkov moves out of range of the strikes.
The crowd cheers as Salaani lands an impressive looking overhand right. Volkov doesn't seem phased though.
Salaani is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Volkov can do to turn this around?
Salaani connects with a body shot that sends Volkov's belly button to the back.
Salaani scores with a body shot.
Salaani lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Volkov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Volkov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Salaani scores with a crisp jab that stopped Volkov in his tracks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salaani lands a body shot.
Salaani fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A looping hook to the body misses from Salaani. Volkov does a little dance to reset his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice straight punches there by Salaani. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Salaani.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Volkov might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Salaani has got the better of the exchanges.
Salaani lands with a nice body punch.
Salaani lands with an overhand left.
Salaani lands with a good body shot.
Salaani's corner calls for a 1-2. Salaani obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Salaani connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Volkov's hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tiimu Salaani dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Salaani cracks Volkov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Salaani scores with a jab to the body.
Volkov avoids the body shot from Salaani.
Salaani slips under a jab.
Salaani uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Jab, jab by Salaani - just one landing.
Volkov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Salaani.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov swings for the body but Salaani moves out of range.
It looked like Salaani wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Volkov shoots for a takedown but Salaani saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Volkov moves out of range of the strikes.
And Volkov tries to counter it with a takedown but Salaani pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salaani scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Volkov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Volkov shoots for a takedown but Salaani saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A jab from Salaani does it's job there.
Salaani misses with a wild combination.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Salaani, as that shot connected.
Salaani just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov takes one to the side of the head.
Salaani looks to land a left hand but Volkov moved out of range nicely.
Salaani misses the shot to the body.
Volkov feints the counter takedown.
Volkov slips a straight right by Salaani.
Volkov moves forwards but Salaani connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Salaani looks to land a right hand but Volkov moved out of range.
Volkov feints the counter takedown.
Volkov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Tiimu Salaani is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Salaani lands a jab to the nose.
Salaani keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salaani cracks Volkov with an open hand slap.
Salaani scores with a jab to the jaw.
Salaani cracks Volkov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Salaani lands a right hook to the body.
Salaani lands with a nice body punch.
Volkov tries to move into range but Salaani moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Salaani lands with an uppercut that bounces Volkov off the cage and back into range.
Salaani scores with a hook to the body. Volkov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov moves forwards but Salaani connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Volkov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Salaani lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Volkov defending well as Salaani loads up on a big left hand.
Salaani scores with a hook.
Volkov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Salaani swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Volkov tries for a takedown but Salaani circles away easily
enabling Salaani to counter with a crisp jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tiimu Salaani showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Salaani has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Tiimu Salaani!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Tiimu Salaani!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Tiimu Salaani!

Tiimu Salaani wins by unanimous decision!