PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Allen Randall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aki Salo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Randall
vs
Salo

202 cm
20
151 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

185 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Allen Randall!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aki Salo!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Randall tries to score a power double leg takedown but Salo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Randall somewhat.
Salo is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Salo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Randall shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Salo counters with a flying knee. Nice.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Allen Randall. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Salo drives through with a takedown into guard.

Randall has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Salo off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Salo throws a head kick but Randall moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Randall fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Salo is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Randall shoots in looking for a takedown but Salo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Randall's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Salo blocks a head kick by Randall.
Salo throws a head kick that misses.
Salo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Randall.
Randall fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Salo avoids it really well and circles away.
Salo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Salo. No joy for Randall on that attempt.

Salo fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Randall sprawls well initially but Salo persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Randall scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Salo manages to mount him!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Salo is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Randall can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Salo sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Randall wants to hold on but Salo pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Randall tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Salo controlling from the full mount.
Salo misses with a head shot.
Salo controlling the position easily from mount.
Randall is looking to improve his position but Salo isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Salo sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
It looks like Salo might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Randall is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Randall tries to hold on but Salo postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aki Salo dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A low kick from Salo is predictable there
and Randall counters with a three punch combo that has Salo backing up. Salo nods at Randall to acknowledge the strikes.
Salo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Randall dives in and grabs Salo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Salo pushes down on Randall's head and hops out.
Randall fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Randall shoots in for a takedown but Salo shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Allen Randall. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Randall changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Salo looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Salo throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Salo misses with a head kick.
It looked like Randall was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Salo throws a nice looking combination but Randall bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Randall, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Randall gets caught flat footed, as Salo shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Salo tries to stand but Randall is controlling from the bottom.
Randall really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Randall looking to control.

Randall has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Salo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Randall is trying to keep Salo in close.
Randall will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Salo showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Salo gets caught napping as Randall dives in and scores a takedown. Salo manages to retain guard.

Salo manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Allen Randall is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
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!
Randall blocks a head kick by Salo.
Nice takedown defense from Salo. No joy for Randall on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Randall lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Salo lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Salo closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Randall to the mat! Randall manages to get full guard.
Randall working a defensive guard here.
Salo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Salo won't allow Randall to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Salo wants to stand but Randall has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Salo is fighting to break Randall's control of his arms but Randall is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Aki Salo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Randall is trying to hold Salo in close to prevent damage but Salo has managed to pass into half guard.
Salo is figuring out what he wants to do next.
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 fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Randall tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Salo defends well and Randall ends up having to push Salo into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Salo.

Salo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Salo happy to just control the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Randall can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salo just content to control the position.
Salo working away.
Randall tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Randall is working hard here to advance position.
Randall wants to control but Salo postures up.
Randall tries to bench press Salo off him but Salo keeps the 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.

Salo has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Randall fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Randall looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Salo is fending him off so far but Randall persists. Nope, Salo circles away and we're back to standing.
As Randall backs off Salo throws a huge counter combo but Randall manages to avoid it all.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Allen Randall. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Salo misses with a double jab.

Salo moves into the clinch.
Randall tries to pull guard but Salo forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Randall looking for a takedown.
Salo prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Salo pulls guard successfully.

Salo has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Randall has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Salo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Salo shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Randall is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Salo jumps into side control!
Salo is staying tight to Randall's torso, preventing him from escaping.

Salo stands up and beckons Randall to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Salo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Still in half guard, Salo seems content to control.
Randall is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Randall is trying to maintain the position but Salo is very close to passing his half guard.
Salo passes into side control, despite Randall's attempt to control the position.
Allen Randall has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aki Salo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Randall is looking to regain half guard here but Salo keeps moving and retains side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aki Salo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Salo 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aki Salo!