PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vidarr Volundr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nico Salas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nico Salas will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Volundr
vs
Salas

195 cm
18
215 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

200 cm
20
210 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vidarr Volundr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nico Salas!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Volundr rushes Salas and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Volundr tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Salas just stands there and leans against the cage.
Salas goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Salas swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Volundr is looking to take this one to the mat.
Volundr gets underhooks to prevent Salas's takedown attempt.
Volundr wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vidarr Volundr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Salas wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Volundr has him pressed against the cage.
Volundr jumps guard but Salas stands there with Volundr around his waist. Volundr gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Salas.
Volundr is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Salas pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Volundr has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Salas avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Salas lands a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Volundr pulls guard effortlessly.
Salas slips nicely into half guard.

Salas is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volundr actively working from the bottom here.
Salas wants to take a breather but Volundr is having none of it.

Volundr is defending against the submission attempts here by Salas.
Volundr holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Salas seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Volundr does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Volundr trying to control here.
Volundr desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's two 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.
Salas is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Volundr keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Salas is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Volundr looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Salas wants to pass to mount but Volundr is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volundr has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Salas is working away from the top position though.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Salas moves in looking to clinch but Volundr pushes him off.

Volundr has taken the fight to the clinch.
Salas is pressed up against the cage. Volundr has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Salas down to the mat. Salas avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Volundr has Salas up against the cage in a clinch.
Volundr is trying to pull guard but Salas has him pressed against the cage.
Salas tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Salas has Volundr pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Salas pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Volundr tumbling to the mat - Salas dives into Volundr's guard.
Volundr managing to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Volundr working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Salas doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Salas manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Salas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Volundr holds on and takes a little breather.
Volundr looking for a sweep. Not yet Volundr, not yet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Salas is fighting to break Volundr's control of his arms but Volundr is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Volundr had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Salas defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Salas looks to land a right hand but Volundr moved out of range.
Volundr tries to clinch up.
Salas shapes to counter with a head kick.
We've been informed that Salas has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Salas misses with a looping left.
Salas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Volundr has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Horrible takedown attempt by Salas or perhaps it was just good defense by Volundr, which made it look bad.
Salas takes a swing at Volundr's ribcage but misses.
Salas pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Volundr is looking to clinch.
Salas misses with a takedown attempt - Volundr sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Salas moves in looking to clinch but Volundr pushes him off.

Volundr has closed the distance and engaged Salas in a clinch.
Salas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volundr drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Volundr tries to pull guard but Salas forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Volundr is trying to drag Salas to the mat but Salas just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vidarr Volundr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Salas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salas pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Salas tries a knee to the head but Volundr blocks it.
Salas can't break the clinch.
Salas prevents a takedown attempt there.
Salas is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Volundr fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Salas fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Salas is trying to break the clinch but Volundr is controlling him.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Volundr is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Salas gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Salas.
Salas is trying to force a seperation but Volundr has the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Volundr tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Salas is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Volundr pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Volundr is trying to drag Salas to the mat but Salas just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Volundr fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Salas can't break the clinch.
Salas jumps guard but Volundr stands there with Salas around his waist. Salas gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Salas is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Salas has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Volundr uses from the top position.
Salas is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Salas thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salas wants to sweep but no luck.
Volundr content to stall in guard here.
Salas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Salas is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Salas is breathing heavily.
Salas looking for a sweep. Not yet Salas, not yet.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Volundr seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Salas takes a swing at Volundr's ribcage but misses.
Volundr is looking to counter the offense by Salas and move into the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Salas lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Volundr circles away quickly and effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Salas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Salas wants to counter the offense by Volundr and move into the clinch position.

Volundr rushes Salas and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Volundr looking for a takedown.
Salas trying to control the position but instead, Volundr has worked for underhooks and has pushed Salas into the cage.
Volundr wants a takedown.
Volundr jumps guard but Salas turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Salas misses with a knee strike.
Volundr tries to score a body lock takedown but Salas shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Salas tries a knee to the head but Volundr blocks it.
Volundr looking for a takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Volundr goes for a takedown in the clinch but Salas prevents it.

Salas breaks the clinch.
Salas tries to score a power double leg takedown but Volundr sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Salas somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nico Salas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Volundr closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Volundr is trying to pull guard but Salas has him pressed against the cage.
Nico Salas seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Volundr tries to pull guard but Salas won't allow it.
Salas has had enough of the clinch but Volundr keeps him there for the moment.
Salas prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vidarr Volundr. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Volundr pulls guard successfully.
Salas wants to control from the top but Volundr keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salas's corner is telling him to maintain position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Salas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volundr is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Volundr keeping moving, preventing Salas from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Volundr holds on and takes a little breather.
Volundr throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Volundr is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Volundr pulls Salas in close to his closed guard and prevents Salas from doing any damage or advancing position.
Salas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Volundr 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.
Salas trying to control the position from guard on top but Volundr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Volundr gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Volundr is looking to take this one to the mat.
Volundr goes for a takedown attempt but Salas pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Salas wants to clinch up but Volundr keeps it at a distance.
Volundr dodges the punch combination from Salas.
Volundr wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Salas misses with a body shot.
Salas throws a sloppy head kick and Volundr moves out of range easily.
Volundr is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volundr avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Volundr takes the fight into the clinch.
Volundr is trying to drag Salas to the mat but Salas just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Salas tries a body shot but Volundr blocks it.
Volundr tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Volundr has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Salas avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Volundr keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Salas's efforts to push away.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Nico Salas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Volundr ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Volundr no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Salas showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Volundr has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Salas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Salas must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Volundr has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Salas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Volundr is trying to keep Salas in close.
Vidarr Volundr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Salas wants to control from the top but Volundr keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vidarr Volundr showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Salas has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nico Salas!
A very excited looking Nico Salas made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.