PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Salazar (ranked 1704 p4p, 1373 weight class) and Sam McCullen (ranked 235 p4p, 196 weight class). McCullen is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by The Foggy Dew. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Salazar
vs
McCullen

193 cm
30
215
16 - 8 - 0

195 cm
36
196
26 - 20 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Core Combat
Sydney Fight Gear (London Rebirth)

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 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Salazar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 20 - 1, fighting out of London, Sam McCullen!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Percy O'Donnell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCullen has a takedown stuffed.
Salazar was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
McCullen is looking to clinch.
Salazar swats away the attempt to clinch by McCullen.
Salazar feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Salazar swats away the attempt to clinch by McCullen.
Salazar is looking to clinch but McCullen is avoiding it.

Salazar closes the distance and clinches.
Salazar lands a right hand.
Salazar scores with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCullen has Salazar pressed against the cage.
Salazar throws a head punch that misses.
Salazar throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Salazar.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salazar fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McCullen.

Salazar clinches with his opponent.
McCullen is stalling here.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that McCullen has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Salazar misses with a hook to the ribs.
Salazar managing to block the knees to the body from McCullen.
McCullen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Salazar throws a head punch that misses.

Salazar manages to break the clinch.
McCullen lands with a nice body kick.
McCullen fails with an attempt to clinch.

Salazar forces McCullen back against the cage and clinches.
McCullen is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Salazar to keep the fight standing.
McCullen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
McCullen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Salazar breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McCullen is looking to clinch but Salazar is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCullen throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Salazar counters with a low kick, right behind McCullen 's knee.
McCullen wants to clinch.
McCullen closes the distance and clinches up with Salazar, looking for a takedown. McCullen pushes Salazar against the cage but Salazar circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Michael Salazar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam McCullen.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McCullen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Salazar pinned against the cage. Salazar gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Salazar has McCullen up against the cage in a clinch.
McCullen is trying to drag Salazar to the mat but Salazar just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

McCullen gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salazar has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McCullen is working away from the top position though.
Salazar pushes McCullen off but McCullen dives into side control.
Salazar dodges the ground and pound from McCullen.
McCullen controlling from side mount.
McCullen passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Salazar!
Salazar wants to control but McCullen is having none of it.
McCullen unloads with some shots from mount but Salazar bucks and avoids them well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salazar tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Salazar is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
McCullen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Salazar is looking to escape.
Salazar sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
McCullen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Salazar keeps working.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Salazar wants to control but McCullen is keeping busy.
Salazar avoiding damage under a succession of punches from McCullen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Salazar dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Salazar tries to clinch there but McCullen circles away.

Salazar has managed to clinch.
McCullen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Salazar is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
McCullen tries to stall but Salazar uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
McCullen is trying to pull guard but Salazar has him pressed against the cage.
Salazar misses with a punch on the inside.
McCullen is looking for a takedown.
Michael Salazar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam McCullen.
McCullen prevents a body shot from Salazar.
Salazar lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Sam McCullen has been cut.
Salazar lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down McCullen.
Salazar misses with a punch on the inside.
A short left from Salazar.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCullen tries to pull guard but Salazar holds him up against the cage and eventually McCullen drops back down to his feet.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Salazar.
McCullen is trying to pull guard but Salazar has him pressed against the cage.
McCullen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Salazar breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McCullen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Salazar sneaks out the side door and pushes McCullen away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Salazar misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McCullen.
McCullen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Salazar counters with a series of strikes. McCullen will be more careful next time no doubt.
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!
Salazar connects with a good straight punch right through the guard and follows up with a right hook and a left hook! That last one sent McCullen tumbling to the canvas! Salazar pours on the pressure with more strikes and the referee has no hesitation diving in to stop the fight! McCullen was done - good stoppage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:27 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Michael Salazar!
Michael Salazar was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.