PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joosep Lõhmus (ranked 6306 p4p, 118 weight class) and Priit Salumäe (ranked 6300 p4p, 119 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.

Lõhmus
vs
Salumäe

190 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
18
255 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joosep Lõhmus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Priit Salumäe!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Saam Ante and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salumäe dives in for a single leg takedown but Lõhmus sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Salumäe is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lõhmus sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lõhmus throws a chopping leg kick but Salumäe manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Lõhmus tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Lõhmus drives through with a takedown into Salumäe's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Salumäe has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lõhmus can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Salumäe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lõhmus. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lõhmus stays in close to Salumäe's body and controls the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lõhmus has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Lõhmus throwing strikes from guard but Salumäe blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lõhmus is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Lõhmus postures up and lands a big shot to Salumäe's brow.
Lõhmus wants to pass the guard but Salumäe is keeping the position.
Lõhmus postures up in Salumäe's guard and throws a big left but Salumäe blocks it.
Lõhmus loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two 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.
Lõhmus advances to half guard.
Lõhmus trying to pass the guard but Salumäe defending well.
Salumäe is trying to get back to full guard.
Salumäe misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Salumäe tries to get to full guard but Lõhmus has control of the leg.

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

Lõhmus feints and as Salumäe raises his hands in defense, Lõhmus changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Lõhmus connects with a couple of short punches.

Lõhmus stands up and waves to Salumäe to follow him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lõhmus throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lõhmus is looking to clinch but Salumäe is avoiding it.

Salumäe clinches up against the cage.
Lõhmus has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Salumäe is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Lõhmus tries for a takedown but Salumäe manages to get underhooks.
Lõhmus is trying to force a seperation but Salumäe has the dominant position.
Salumäe is trying to break the clinch but Lõhmus is controlling him.
Salumäe is looking for a takedown.
Joosep Lõhmus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Priit Salumäe.
Lõhmus tries to land knees in the clinch but Salumäe avoids the damage to the body.
Salumäe is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Lõhmus jumps into guard, dragging Salumäe to the mat.
Lõhmus pulls Salumäe in close to his closed guard and prevents Salumäe from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salumäe stands and throws Lõhmus's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Lõhmus is looking for a sweep.
Salumäe trying to control the position but Lõhmus is working away.
Lõhmus struggling a bit here.
Lõhmus has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Salumäe prevents Lõhmus from escaping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joosep Lõhmus dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Salumäe darts in and clinches Lõhmus up against the cage.
Salumäe is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Lõhmus gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Salumäe dodges an elbow strike from Lõhmus.
Lõhmus is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Salumäe is defending well.

Salumäe's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Salumäe swinging wildly here.
Lõhmus goes for a double leg but Salumäe avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Salumäe continues to drive forward.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salumäe tries for a takedown but Lõhmus sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lõhmus throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Salumäe.
Salumäe doesn't manage to clinch there - Lõhmus circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lõhmus. Salumäe does a little dance to reset his feet.
Some wild striking there from Lõhmus.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lõhmus rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Salumäe moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Lõhmus gets tackled into the cage by Salumäe. Salumäe maintains the clinch.
Lõhmus stalling the fight.
Lõhmus tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Salumäe just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joosep Lõhmus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lõhmus tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Lõhmus tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Salumäe tries to score a body lock takedown but Lõhmus shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Lõhmus has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Salumäe is trying to keep an underhook but Lõhmus manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Lõhmus is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Salumäe can do to turn this around?
Salumäe trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salumäe is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Salumäe looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Lõhmus decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Joosep Lõhmus is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Salumäe throws a head kick that misses

and Lõhmus counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
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!
Lõhmus seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Lõhmus there.
Lõhmus throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lõhmus is keen to just control but Salumäe is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lõhmus slows the pace down in half guard.
Lõhmus passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Salumäe!
Lõhmus unloads with some shots from mount but Salumäe bucks and avoids them well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lõhmus landing strikes, looking to finish!
You get the feeling that Salumäe really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Lõhmus controlling from mount.

Lõhmus stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Salumäe shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lõhmus but Lõhmus pushes him off and we're back to square one.
As Salumäe looks to move away, Lõhmus throws a big counter combo but Salumäe just gets out of the way.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lõhmus goes for a double leg but Salumäe avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Salumäe continues to drive forward.
Nice takedown defense from Lõhmus. No joy for Salumäe on that attempt.

Lõhmus closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joosep Lõhmus dominated that second round.
That's time! 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.

Salumäe shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lõhmus but Lõhmus pushes him off and we're back to square one.
As Salumäe tries to get set, Lõhmus tries to push him back and clinch up but Salumäe manages to avoid the attempt.
Lõhmus shoots in looking for a takedown but Salumäe manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lõhmus's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nice takedown defense from Salumäe. No joy for Lõhmus on that attempt.
Salumäe is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Lõhmus with a body shot.

Lõhmus clinches.

Lõhmus ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Lõhmus no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Lõhmus tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Salumäe tries to free his leg and advance position but Lõhmus is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lõhmus wants to sweep but no luck.
Lõhmus bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Salumäe's guard.

Lõhmus stands up from Salumäe's guard - Lõhmus perhaps looking for a knockout.
Salumäe looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lõhmus is fending him off so far but Salumäe persists. Nope, Lõhmus circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Salumäe gets caught flat footed, as Lõhmus shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Lõhmus pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Salumäe is keeping the position for now.
Salumäe working a defensive guard here.

Lõhmus decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Salumäe, up you get!
Salumäe shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lõhmus sprawls well. Lõhmus wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Salumäe gets slowly back to his feet.
Joosep Lõhmus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Priit Salumäe.

Lõhmus moves into range and clinches up with Salumäe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lõhmus tries to score a body lock takedown but Salumäe shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Lõhmus drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Salumäe gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lõhmus is trying to pull guard but Salumäe turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Lõhmus escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Lõhmus gets a double leg takedown into Salumäe's guard.
Salumäe is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lõhmus stopping the sweep attempt from Salumäe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lõhmus stops Salumäe from standing up.
Salumäe working a defensive guard here.
Salumäe wants to stand up but Lõhmus is controlling him.
Lõhmus throwing strikes but missing.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Lõhmus throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Salumäe shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lõhmus pinned against the cage. Lõhmus gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lõhmus throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Salumäe moves into the clinch.

Salumäe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Lõhmus shoots in and bounces Salumäe off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Lõhmus trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lõhmus is pushing down on Salumäe's leg trying to pass to half guard. Salumäe is fighting to maintain full guard but Lõhmus has managed to sneak the leg through.
Salumäe scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Lõhmus manages to mount him!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lõhmus stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joosep Lõhmus showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lõhmus, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joosep Lõhmus!