PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Enzo Salvatore (ranked 266 p4p, 215 weight class) and Jerry Azumah (ranked 37 p4p, 25 weight class). Salvatore comes to the cage accompanied by Reich mir die Hand. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Salvatore
vs
Azumah

172 cm
34
160
22 - 17 - 0

176 cm
33
148
11 - 2 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

SynCity Fightwear
Gatoroids

Altitude Clothing
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Enzo Salvatore!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jerry Azumah!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, William Gold and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salvatore slips under a jab from Azumah.
Salvatore tries to counter with a takedown but Azumah is quick to defend against it.
Azumah throws an overhand right that lands on Salvatore's shoulder, as Salvatore tries to avoid the shot.
A swing and a miss from Azumah.
Salvatore feinted with a counter takedown.
Azumah throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Salvatore attempts a counter takedown but Azumah avoids it well and moves away.
Azumah bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Azumah gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Salvatore looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azumah being controlled here, momentarily.
Azumah keeping moving, preventing Salvatore from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salvatore passes Azumah's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Salvatore wants to pass to mount but Azumah is defending the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Salvatore is trying to control the action in half guard but Azumah is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Salvatore is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Azumah is looking for a sweep. Salvatore is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

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.
Salvatore wants to free his trapped foot but Azumah is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Azumah controlling the position well.

Salvatore is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Azumah sees it coming and defends easily.
Salvatore is pressing down on Azumah's thigh, looking to free his foot. Azumah is holding on for now.

Salvatore is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Salvatore wants to work for an arm triangle but Azumah is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azumah is looking to improve his position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Salvatore is keen to just control but Azumah is a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice sprawl there from Azumah as Salvatore shoots in.
Azumah rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Salvatore counters with a single leg into guard. Azumah didn't expect that.
Salvatore is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azumah trying to control the position here.
Azumah utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Salvatore not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Salvatore slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Azumah is looking for a sweep.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Enzo Salvatore dominated that round.
That's time! Salvatore's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Salvatore scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Salvatore goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Azumah has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Salvatore but great work by Azumah.
Salvatore is looking for a sweep.
Azumah tries to move into full mount but can't pass Salvatore's legs.
Azumah wants to control but Salvatore is keeping him busy.
Salvatore wants to control but Azumah postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salvatore is looking for a sweep.
Salvatore is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Azumah can do to turn this around?
Azumah wants to control for a moment but Salvatore uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Salvatore looking for submissions off his back.
Salvatore is refusing to be controlled, as Azumah sits in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Salvatore looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Azumah pushes past his half guard into mount!
Azumah controlling his opponent.
Salvatore wants to control but Azumah is having none of it.
Salvatore is working to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salvatore is working hard here to advance position.
Salvatore reaches up to try and control the position but Azumah seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Salvatore rolls and tries to escape and now Azumah has his back!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Azumah is trying to stick to Salvatore's back but Salvatore is turning into Azumah. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Azumah's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Salvatore.

Salvatore drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Azumah dives on top into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Salvatore is looking for a triangle but Azumah pushes his legs off easily.
Azumah 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.

Salvatore is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Azumah is aware though and is defending well.
Azumah postures up.

Salvatore looking for a guillotine here but Azumah defends easily.
Salvatore trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Azumah slips nicely into half guard.
Azumah moves nicely into side control.
Salvatore trying his best to control but Azumah has mounted him.
Salvatore wants to control but Azumah is having none of it.
Salvatore is looking to improve his position but Azumah isn't that keen on the idea.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jerry Azumah showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Salvatore slips a straight right by Azumah.
Salvatore half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Azumah throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Good standup being displayed there by Azumah as he connects with a hook.
No joy there for Azumah, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Salvatore drops down looking for a counter takedown but Azumah sprawls and moves away.
Azumah walks into a jab.
Azumah throws the left hand but Salvatore avoids the punch easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salvatore shoots in for a double leg but Azumah sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Azumah feints a counter leg kick.
Salvatore looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
No luck for Salvatore with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salvatore has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Azumah.
Salvatore shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Enzo Salvatore. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Salvatore tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Azumah swivels and escapes.

Salvatore looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Salvatore stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Azumah swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Salvatore preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salvatore looking to sit in guard and control but Azumah gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Salvatore has his foot on Azumah's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Azumah works his way back into a safe position though.

Salvatore is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Salvatore looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Azumah has picked Salvatore up and slammed him! Salvatore can't keep hold of the triangle and Azumah manages to pass to side control!
Salvatore is trying to improve his position.
Salvatore seems a little lost for a moment, as Azumah dominates the positioning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salvatore is trying to get back to half guard.
Azumah working away.
Azumah is staying tight to Salvatore's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Salvatore tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Salvatore sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Salvatore trying to control but Azumah postures up.
Azumah is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Salvatore moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Azumah tries to free his leg and advance position but Salvatore is retaining full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jerry Azumah comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Azumah 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jerry Azumah!