PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Markus Gundstrohm (ranked 7665 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eerikki Salmi (ranked 5949 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Gundstrohm
vs
Salmi

197 cm
23
216 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Markus Gundstrohm!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Eerikki Salmi!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gundstrohm shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Salmi defends it nicely.

Gundstrohm rushes Salmi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Salmi can't find room to land a body shot as Gundstrohm controls the action.
Salmi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Salmi wants to break free but Gundstrohm has control.
Salmi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gundstrohm jumps into guard, dragging Salmi to the mat.
Gundstrohm is adopting a defensive guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salmi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gundstrohm. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gundstrohm 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.
Gundstrohm throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Gundstrohm is controlling Salmi's posture.
Salmi is looking to stand up but Gundstrohm won't let him.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nice shot lands for Salmi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Salmi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gundstrohm manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Gundstrohm has Salmi pressed against the cage, preventing Salmi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Salmi is trying to break the clinch but Gundstrohm is controlling him.
Gundstrohm blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gundstrohm misses with an elbow over the top.
Gundstrohm is struggling to control the position.
Gundstrohm prevents a body shot from Salmi.
Gundstrohm drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gundstrohm dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Gundstrohm.
Gundstrohm is trying to pull guard but Salmi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Markus Gundstrohm. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gundstrohm drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Salmi throws a punch but it's blocked by Gundstrohm.
Gundstrohm has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Salmi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gundstrohm prevents Salmi from breaking the clinch.
Salmi tries to break the clinch but Gundstrohm is controlling the position.
Salmi letting Gundstrohm take a breather here.
Gundstrohm tries a body shot but Salmi blocks it.

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.
Gundstrohm tries to pull guard but Salmi won't allow it.
A nice left hand lands by Salmi.
Salmi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gundstrohm trying to land knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gundstrohm.
Salmi misses with a body punch.
Gundstrohm is stalling here.
Salmi tries to circle away but Gundstrohm has him pinned against the cage.
Salmi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gundstrohm's elbow.
Gundstrohm jumps guard but Salmi turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gundstrohm stalling the fight.
Salmi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Salmi struggles to land a body shot inside as Gundstrohm controls his hands.

Gundstrohm pulls guard effortlessly.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Eerikki Salmi will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Salmi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Gundstrohm scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Salmi is looking to get back to his feet here but Gundstrohm is keeping cool and he's managed to take Salmi's back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salmi is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Gundstrohm lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Gundstrohm controls the action.

Gundstrohm is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Salmi is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gundstrohm controls the action.
Gundstrohm punches the canvas rather than the man.

Gundstrohm is looking for the choke from the back position but Salmi is controlling his hands well.
Salmi is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Good control from Gundstrohm.

Gundstrohm is looking for the choke from the back position but Salmi is controlling his hands well.
Salmi is trying to stand back up.
Markus Gundstrohm overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gundstrohm has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Salmi's body.

Gundstrohm working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Gundstrohm really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Salmi.
Gundstrohm misses with punches from the back.
Salmi is trying to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gundstrohm has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Salmi preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Gundstrohm.
Salmi is trying to stand back up.
Gundstrohm trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Salmi doesn't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Salmi is trying to get back to his feet but Gundstrohm has full control of the position and if anything, Salmi has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Gundstrohm is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Salmi has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Gundstrohm is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Salmi is trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Markus Gundstrohm dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Gundstrohm moves forwards but Salmi connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Salmi avoids a kick to the body.
Salmi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Gundstrohm shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Salmi but Salmi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Salmi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Salmi lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gundstrohm has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gundstrohm there as he acknowledges the shot.
Gundstrohm misses with a takedown
and Salmi counters with a two punch combo.
Gundstrohm is looking to clinch but Salmi is avoiding it.
Salmi doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salmi blocks a leg kick.

Gundstrohm moves into the clinch successfully.
Salmi is trying to break free.
A short right from Gundstrohm.
Salmi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gundstrohm goes for a takedown attempt but Salmi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Markus Gundstrohm. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gundstrohm gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Salmi counter with a right hand.
Markus Gundstrohm seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gundstrohm takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Salmi scores with a body shot.
Salmi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gundstrohm. Gundstrohm circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Salmi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gundstrohm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salmi scores with a sloppy right hand. Gundstrohm should have avoided that one.
Salmi lands with a hook. Gundstrohm tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Gundstrohm forces Salmi back against the cage and clinches.
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!

Gundstrohm breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gundstrohm tries to close the distance and clinch but Salmi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gundstrohm darts in trying to clinch
and Salmi counters with a stiff right hand.
Gundstrohm moves to clinch but Salmi breaks away
and Salmi counters with a nice uppercut.
Salmi connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gundstrohm's hands.
Donk. Salmi catches Gundstrohm right on the button with a cross.
Gundstrohm shoots for a double leg takedown but Salmi sprawls well. He's pushed Gundstrohm's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gundstrohm tries for a takedown but Salmi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Salmi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Salmi lands with a cross.
Gundstrohm gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Salmi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Salmi.
Good standup being displayed there by Salmi as he connects with a hook.
Gundstrohm takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Salmi tests Gundstrohm's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Salmi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Salmi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gundstrohm takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Eerikki Salmi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gundstrohm misses with a takedown attempt
and Salmi counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Salmi lands with a shot to the body.
Salmi lands a jab.
Gundstrohm takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Salmi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gundstrohm throws a wild body kick that Salmi sees coming a mile off.
Gundstrohm takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Gundstrohm on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Gundstrohm throws a sloppy body shot
and Salmi counters with a right hand to the body.
Gundstrohm tries to clinch up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eerikki Salmi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Salmi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eerikki Salmi!
A very excited looking Eerikki Salmi rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.