PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Czuje Zewygralem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aki Salo (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.

Zewygralem
vs
Salo

194 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Czuje Zewygralem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aki Salo!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salo lands with a kick to the temple. Zewygralem shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Zewygralem fails with a takedown attempt.
Zewygralem looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Salo is fending him off so far but Zewygralem persists. Nope, Salo circles away and we're back to standing.
Salo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zewygralem tries to avoid it but Salo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zewygralem to the ground. Zewygralem escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Salo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Zewygralem takes the fight into the clinch.

Zewygralem breaks from the clinch.
Zewygralem throws a sloppy head kick and Salo moves out of range easily.
Salo is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zewygralem closes the distance and clinches up with Salo, looking for a takedown. Zewygralem pushes Salo against the cage but Salo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Czuje Zewygralem. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Zewygralem gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zewygralem is looking for a takedown.
Zewygralem lands a nice knee to the body.
Zewygralem lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zewygralem scores with a hook to the body.
Salo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Salo tries to pull guard but Zewygralem won't allow it.
Salo prevents the takedown attempt.
Zewygralem has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Salo avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Zewygralem is breathing heavily.

Salo drags the fight down to the ground.
Salo is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Zewygralem is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Salo is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Zewygralem trying to control the position from guard on top but Salo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zewygralem has gone for a leg lock! Salo slips out almost immediately though and dives into Zewygralem's guard.

Zewygralem is looking to stand up but Salo isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Salo trying to control but Zewygralem is working from the bottom.

Salo stands up from Zewygralem's guard - Salo perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salo lands a head kick!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Salo.

Zewygralem fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Salo, pushing him back against the cage.
Zewygralem tries to work over Salo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Salo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zewygralem goes for a double leg but Salo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Salo continues to drive forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zewygralem moves into the clinch.
Zewygralem is looking for a takedown.

Zewygralem breaks the clinch.
Zewygralem wants to clinch up but Salo keeps it at a distance.
As Zewygralem backs off Salo throws a huge counter combo but Zewygralem manages to avoid it all.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Salo is defended easily by Zewygralem.
Zewygralem tries to close the distance and clinch up but Salo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Salo is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Zewygralem moves in looking to clinch but Salo pushes him off.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zewygralem is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Salo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zewygralem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aki Salo 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.

Zewygralem tries to clinch but Salo moves out of range.

Zewygralem gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Zewygralem successfully pulls guard.

Salo stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Zewygralem swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Salo counters with a one-two to the body.

Zewygralem gets a clinch.
Zewygralem lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short uppercut from Zewygralem.
Zewygralem missing with knees to the body.

Salo manages to break the clinch.
Zewygralem shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Salo but Salo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zewygralem fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zewygralem shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Salo as he avoids it easily.
Salo throws a head kick that misses.
Zewygralem darts in looking for a takedown but Salo gets double underhooks and turns Zewygralem into the cage.
Salo throws a counter combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Czuje Zewygralem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Salo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Salo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zewygralem tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Salo has Zewygralem up against the cage in a clinch.
Zewygralem tries to land a knee to the head but Salo blocks with his arms.

Salo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zewygralem tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salo connects with a high kick.
Zewygralem takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Salo keeps the fight on the outside.
Salo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Salo scores with a three punch combo!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Salo shoots in looking for a takedown but Zewygralem manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Salo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Salo closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Zewygralem tries to clinch there but Salo circles away.
Zewygralem misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Aki Salo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Salo throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Zewygralem tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Salo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Salo bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zewygralem.
A left and a right from Salo both land. Nice combination.
Salo fails with a takedown attempt.
Zewygralem tries to clinch up but Salo circles away and keeps his distance.
Zewygralem will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zewygralem fails with an attempt to clinch.
Salo connects with a single shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zewygralem is looking to clinch.
Salo keeps the fight on the outside.
Zewygralem sets himself, and Salo steps forward looking for the clinch! Zewygralem avoids it this time.
Zewygralem tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zewygralem tries to bum rush Salo with a series of wild strikes but Salo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Salo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zewygralem but Zewygralem pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zewygralem fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Salo avoids it really well and circles away.
Salo tries to counter by closing the distance.
Salo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zewygralem but Zewygralem pushes him off and we're back to square one.
As Salo looks to move away, Zewygralem throws a big counter combo but Salo just gets out of the way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aki Salo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Zewygralem closes this distance looking for a takedown but Salo circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zewygralem.
Salo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Salo throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Zewygralem.

Salo closes the distance and pushes Zewygralem back into the cage.
Zewygralem throws a head punch that misses.
Still in the clinch, Zewygralem scores with a nice short uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch on the inside from Zewygralem fails to land.

Zewygralem's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zewygralem misses with the combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zewygralem misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Czuje Zewygralem. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Salo rushes Zewygralem and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Zewygralem looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Zewygralem goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zewygralem throws a head punch that misses.
Zewygralem misses with a punch to the body.
Zewygralem is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Salo to keep the fight standing.
Salo taking a breather.
Salo wants a takedown but no success here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Salo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Salo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Salo wants to counter with a clinch but Zewygralem pushes him away.
Salo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Zewygralem as he jumps to the side.
Zewygralem misses with an attempted mid kick.
Salo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Salo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Czuje Zewygralem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Salo moves into the clinch.
Zewygralem tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Salo just stands there and leans against the cage.

Salo pulls guard effortlessly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zewygralem wants to stand and escape but instead Salo has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Salo stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Salo throws a head kick that misses.
Zewygralem is looking for a counter combo.
Zewygralem is looking to clinch but Salo is avoiding it.
Salo shoots for a takedown but Zewygralem saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Salo lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Zewygralem fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zewygralem leaves Salo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Salo moves into range and clinches up with Zewygralem.

Salo manages to break the clinch.
Zewygralem tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Salo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Salo keeps the fight on the outside.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Salo misses with a few strikes there.
Zewygralem tries to clinch but Salo moves out of range.
Czuje Zewygralem has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aki Salo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zewygralem throws a quick inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aki Salo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Salo winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Aki Salo!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Aki Salo!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Aki Salo!

Aki Salo wins by unanimous decision!