PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bibiano Salvador (ranked 2849 p4p, 2902 weight class) and Junior Senior (ranked 371 p4p, 374 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Bibiano Salvador has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Bibiano Salvador seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Salvador
vs
Senior

190 cm
21
177
5 - 4 - 0

177 cm
20
180
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Knockout power

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bibiano Salvador!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Junior Senior!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salvador looks for the body kick but Senior saw that one coming.
Senior tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Salvador defends well and Senior ends up having to push Salvador into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Salvador drops down looking for a counter takedown but Senior sprawls and moves away.
Senior dives in and grabs Salvador's left leg, looking for a takedown. Salvador pushes down on Senior's head and hops out.
Senior fails with the takedown.
Bibiano Salvador has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Junior Senior.
Senior shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Salvador but Salvador pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Senior tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Salvador defends well and Senior ends up having to push Salvador into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Salvador throws a half hearted mid kick.
Salvador misses with a head kick.
Senior darts in looking for a takedown but Salvador gets double underhooks and turns Senior into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salvador throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Salvador defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Senior.
Senior shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Salvador pinned against the cage. Salvador gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Salvador tries to counter with a takedown but Senior is quick to defend against it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Senior avoids a kick to the body.
Salvador connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Senior tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Salvador swivels and escapes.
Senior takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Salvador dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Salvador. No joy for Senior on that attempt.
Senior fails with a takedown attempt.

Salvador throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Senior tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Salvador is in Senior's guard.

Senior has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Salvador can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Salvador seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salvador pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Senior is keeping the position for now.

Senior has his foot on Salvador's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Salvador works his way back into a safe position though.
Salvador stopping the sweep attempt from Senior.
Salvador seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Salvador passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Salvador is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Senior has escaped the position, nice work there.
Senior tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Salvador wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Salvador looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Senior can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Senior prevents Salvador from improving position.

Salvador is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Senior knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Salvador looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Salvador works to advance to full mount. Senior defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Senior sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Senior is trying to control but can't.

Senior actively working from the bottom here.
Salvador trying to control the action but Senior is working from the bottom.
Salvador is looking to advance position but Senior won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Salvador wants to work for an arm triangle but Senior is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Salvador in particular looking to stall.
Salvador tries to pass the half guard into mount. Senior knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Salvador seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Senior does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Salvador is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Senior is just riding it out for now. Salvador eventually gives up the hold.
Salvador is trying to control. Senior wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Salvador trying to pass the guard but Senior defending well.

Senior actively working from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bibiano Salvador dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Senior tries for a takedown but Salvador sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Senior shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Salvador as he jumps to the side.
Salvador throws a head kick that misses.
Senior wants to counter with a clinch but Salvador pushes him away.
Senior has a takedown stuffed.
Bibiano Salvador has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Junior Senior.
Salvador digs a good body shot into Senior's ribs.
Senior avoids the head kick by Salvador.
Bibiano Salvador is winning the standup battle so far.
Senior shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salvador fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Senior is out of range.

Salvador scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Senior wants to control but Salvador postures up.
Bibiano Salvador overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Salvador is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Senior is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Salvador wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Senior, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salvador wants to control but Senior is keeping him busy.
We've been hearing good reports from Salvador's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Senior tries to buck Salvador off but Salvador is having none of it.
Salvador is looking to take a break and control but Senior is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Salvador moves into full mount!
Salvador sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Senior is controlling an arm, preventing Salvador from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salvador takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Senior rolls, trying to escape but Salvador keeps control of the position.
Salvador is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Senior can do to turn this around?

Salvador is persistently looking for the submission but Senior is defending it well.
Senior is trying to break free.

Senior is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Salvador gets his way!

Senior defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Salvador will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Salvador is looking for the choke from the back position but Senior is controlling his hands well.
You can see the frustration on Senior's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Salvador looking for the choke but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Senior is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Senior is really stuck here.
Salvador biding his time, controlling Senior.
Senior is trying to break free.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Salvador controlling the positon.
Salvador is hanging on to Senior's back as he tries to escape.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Senior is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Salvador gets his way!
Salvador controlling from the back.

Senior showing good submission defense here.
Salvador tries to keep control of the position but Senior is staying busy.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Salvador is trying to stick to Senior's back but Senior is turning into Salvador. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Salvador's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Senior.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Senior advances to half guard.
Salvador makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Salvador.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bibiano Salvador dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Salvador. No joy for Senior on that attempt.
Salvador wants to clinch.
Senior tries a quick counter leg kick but Salvador is wise to it.
Senior shoots in for a takedown but Salvador shows good takedown defense.
Salvador tries to counter with a takedown but Senior is quick to defend against it.
Senior takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Salvador changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Salvador throws a head kick but Senior moves out of range.
Salvador throws a front kick aimed at Senior's knee but Senior avoids it well.
Despite the aggression on Senior's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Nice straight punches there by Salvador. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Salvador.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Senior takes a jab right on the kisser.
Salvador swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Senior tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Salvador swivels and escapes.
Salvador feinted with a counter takedown.
Bibiano Salvador has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Junior Senior.

Salvador gets the takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salvador controlling from side mount.
Salvador trying to control the action but Senior is working from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Senior's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Senior is not content to let Salvador control the position.
Senior seems a little lost for a moment, as Salvador dominates the positioning.
Senior prevents Salvador from moving into mount.
Senior manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Salvador trying to mount his opponent but Senior defends it.
Senior is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Senior looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Salvador is trying to control. Senior wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Salvador looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Salvador seems to be looking for submissions.

Senior is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Salvador pulls his head out easily.
Senior takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Still in half guard, Salvador seems content to control.

Senior looking for submissions off his back.

Salvador is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Senior is just riding it out for now. Salvador eventually gives up the hold.

Senior actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salvador passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Senior!

Salvador is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Senior has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Salvador controlling from the full mount.
Salvador fails to move to back control.
Salvador controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Senior tries to hold on but Salvador postures up.
Senior has given up his back.

Salvador has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Senior has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Salvador keeps control of the position easily here as Senior tries to buck him off.
A lull in the action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Salvador has the hooks in. Senior is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Junior Senior has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bibiano Salvador is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Salvador doesn't have the hooks in and Senior manages to turn into his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bibiano Salvador showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Salvador has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bibiano Salvador!