PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Geraldo Hodges (ranked 24479 p4p, 0 weight class) and Salim Awal (ranked 5572 p4p, 0 weight class). Salim Awal has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hodges
vs
Awal

165 cm
18
161 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

175 cm
25
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Geraldo Hodges!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Salim Awal!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Awal closes the distance and clinches.
Hodges is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Awal is defending well for now.
Awal misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hodges blocks an uppercut.
Hodges can't break the clinch.
Awal throws a punch but it's blocked by Hodges.
Hodges can't break the clinch.
Hodges blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Awal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Awal clinches up against the cage.
Awal gets through Hodges's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Awal.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Awal lands an uppercut.
Awal lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Awal creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Awal swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Awal lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hodges tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Awal breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Awal closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hodges misses with an elbow over the top.
Awal lands a shoulder strike.
Hodges fails to pull guard.
Awal lands with a light punch inside.

Hodges is rocked!
A nice right hand lands inside from Awal.
Oh Hodges is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Awal dips a shoulder and cracks Hodges with a mighty uppercut! Hodges falls back against the cage and Awal unloads with a barrage of strikes! Hodges is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the cage! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - Awal screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Salim Awal!