PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nicky Santoro (ranked 1142 p4p, 156 weight class) and Eerikki Salmi (ranked 1304 p4p, 176 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Santoro
vs
Salmi

185 cm
23
217 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

190 cm
22
210 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nicky Santoro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Eerikki Salmi!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salmi with a nice cross.

It looks like Nicky Santoro has been cut.
Santoro misses the jab.
Eerikki Salmi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Santoro throws a right and a left that both miss.
A big left from Santoro misses.
Salmi has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Salmi throws a lazy uppercut
and Santoro counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've been told by Santoro's head coaches at RWB GYM that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Salmi misses with a straight left.
Salmi throws a right hand that misses
and Santoro counters with a nice body shot.
Santoro misses with an uppercut. Salmi saw that one coming.
Santoro throws an off balance right hand
enabling Salmi to counter with a crisp jab.
Salmi throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Santoro avoids the body shot from Salmi.
Salmi looks to throw a body kick
and Santoro counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Salmi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Santoro pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Salmi missing with a left hand there. Santoro was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Santoro misses with a body shot.
Santoro uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Salmi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santoro takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Santoro misses with an uppercut. Salmi saw that one coming.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Salmi, as that shot connected.

Santoro is rocked!
Santoro misses with a hook to the body
and Salmi rattles Santoro with a well-timed uppercut counter. - Santoro tries to back away and recover but his hands are down low and he gets tagged again, sending him stumbling down to the canvas. Salmi dives in after him and quickly finishes the job with a trio of brutal punches, leaving Santoro stiff and motionless on the mat!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Eerikki Salmi!
Our winner, Eerikki Salmi, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.