PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Salieri (ranked 3581 p4p, 397 weight class) and Tommy Rearden (ranked 4949 p4p, 0 weight class). Salieri kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is DMX - Ain’t No Sunshine. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Salieri
vs
Rearden

179 cm
23
162 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

170 cm
25
168 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Velocity Fightwear

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Antonio Salieri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tommy Rearden!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Russell Pearce and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rearden swings for the body but Salieri moves out of range.
Salieri misses with the combination.
A big right from Rearden misses.
Nice shot lands for Salieri.
Salieri uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rearden.
Rearden takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Salieri darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Donk. Salieri catches Rearden right on the button with a cross.
Rearden swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rearden has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Salieri.
Rearden on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A right-left combo lands from Salieri.

It looks like Tommy Rearden has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Salieri has closed the distance and engaged Rearden in a clinch.
Rearden lands a body punch.

Salieri is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Rearden can't fight it off and eventually Salieri manages to take the fight to the floor. Rearden looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Salieri throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salieri is stalling in the full guard.
Salieri cracks Rearden with a solid left hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salieri throws a big elbow that misses.
Rearden being controlled here, momentarily.
Salieri keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rearden's head.
Salieri landing with the ground and pound.

That's two 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.
Salieri is looking to work some ground and pound but Rearden has wrist control.
Salieri lands a couple of digs.
Rearden trying to control the position.
Salieri's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Rearden 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.
Salieri is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rearden looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Salieri throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rearden's head.

Salieri clinches up against the cage.

Rearden has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Salieri clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Rearden cracks Salieri with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Salieri from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
Rearden not allowing Salieri to control his hands.
Salieri tries to break free.
Salieri 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.

Salieri is having to fend off submission attempts from Rearden, who is looking to sink in the choke. Rearden doesn't have the hooks in though and Salieri manages to reverse position! He's now on top, in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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!
Salieri postures up and lands a big shot to Rearden's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salieri lands a couple of digs.
Rearden wants to sweep but no luck.
Rearden looking to control.
Salieri is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Salieri content to stall in guard here.
Rearden really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Salieri. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Salieri lands a couple of decent looking shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Salieri dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tommy Rearden's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Salieri works the jab nicely.
Salieri lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Salieri - that will leave a mark!
Rearden fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Salieri manages to avoid it.
Salieri drops down looking for a counter takedown but Rearden sprawls and moves away.
Salieri is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rearden can do to turn this around?

Salieri lands a big head kick that sends Rearden tumbling to the mat! Salieri takes a step backwards and waves Rearden back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Rearden is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rearden gets caught by a brutal right hook which buckles his knees! Rearden tries to backpedal with his spaghettilegs but Salieri is headhunting and goes for the kill. A jab and a right hook connect and Rearden buckles badly as his eyes roll back. The referee steps in and saves Rearden!! Rearden is complaining but he was clearly out on his feet. Salieri throws his mouthpiece into the crowd. Mmmm spit-tastic.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Antonio Salieri!
During a confident post fight interview, Antonio Salieri thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.