PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brian Baker (ranked 2108 p4p, 20302 weight class) and Eerikki Salmi (ranked 299 p4p, 663 weight class). Salmi comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Korpiklaani - Ievan Polkka kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Baker
vs
Salmi

190 cm
44
220
34 - 26 - 2

190 cm
36
219
14 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 26 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brian Baker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eerikki Salmi!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Paul Tew and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baker throws a right and a left that both miss.
Salmi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Salmi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Baker with a body shot.
Baker digs a good hook to Salmi's body.
Baker looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Baker throws a combination that misses
and Salmi counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Baker is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Baker swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Salmi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Baker misses with a left hand
and Salmi counters with a right hand to the body.
Baker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Salmi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Baker there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Salmi manages to avoid it.
A shot to the liver by Baker. Beautiful body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Baker.
Baker is looking to wear down Salmi with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Baker misses with a double jab.
Salmi let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Baker misses with the body kick
and Salmi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Baker thows a left - swing and a miss!
Salmi throws a big counter head kick but Baker avoids it with no problem.
Baker falls off balance throwing a combination
and Salmi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Baker misses with a jab to the body
and Salmi counters with a stiff right hand.
Baker throws a predictable looking body shot
and Salmi counters with a nice body shot.
Baker fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Salmi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Salmi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Baker throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Salmi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Salmi misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker throws a combination that misses
and Salmi counters with a solid body kick.
Baker misses with a jab, cross combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A low kick from Baker misses
and Salmi counters with a left and a right that stings Baker.
Baker thuds a left hand into Salmi's body.
Baker swinging wildly here.
A combination from Baker does no damage.
Baker will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Baker misses with a right hand
enabling Salmi to counter with a crisp jab.
Baker fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Salmi on the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Baker feints a jab promting Salmi to slip. Baker then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Salmi slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Baker rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Salmi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Baker thinking.
Baker throws a series of punches but Salmi avoids them all with ease.
Some wild striking there from Baker.
Baker thuds his shin into the meat of Salmi's side.
Brian Baker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baker throws a left and a right that both miss
and Salmi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Baker misses with a wild body shot.
Salmi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Baker with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker misses with a double jab
and Salmi counters with a right hand to the body.
Salmi moves away from the strike by Baker.
A countering left hand to the body from Salmi misses.
Baker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Salmi manages to avoid it.
Salmi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Baker with a body shot.
Baker throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Salmi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baker wants to clinch but Salmi slips to the side
and Salmi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Baker has his takedown stuffed
and Salmi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Baker is breathing heavily.
Baker swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Salmi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Baker swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Salmi counters with a big head kick but Baker shrugs it off.
Baker misses with a double jab.
Salmi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Brian Baker will probably get the nod.
That's time! Baker's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Salmi moves out of range of the body kick.
Baker throws a left and a right that both miss
and Salmi counters with a three punch combo that has Baker backing up. Baker nods at Salmi to acknowledge the strikes.
Baker throws a lazy uppercut
and Salmi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Baker. Salmi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Salmi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Baker misses with an uppercut
and Salmi counters with a body kick that stops Baker in his tracks momentarily.
Baker fails in his attempt to clinch.
Baker throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Salmi counters with a nice body shot.
Baker misses with a straight right.
Salmi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker throws a poor cross that misses
and Salmi counters with a series of strikes. Baker will be more careful next time no doubt.
A swing and a miss from Baker.
Salmi throws a counter combo.
Baker throws a body kick, spinning off balance
enabling Salmi to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker punishes Salmi's body with a nice straight punch.
Baker misses with a body shot
and Salmi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Baker looks to clinch
and Salmi counters with a nice uppercut.
Baker will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A nice side step and Salmi releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Jab from Baker.
Donk. Baker catches Salmi right on the button with a cross.
Baker throws a right and a left that both miss.
Baker swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salmi moves out of range of the body kick from Baker.
Salmi doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Baker misses with a two punch combination.
Baker misses with a wild combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Baker falls off balance throwing a combination
and Salmi counters with a series of strikes. Baker 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!
Baker tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Salmi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Baker misses with an uppercut
and Salmi counters with a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker misses with a series of wild punches.
Salmi follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Baker tries to clinch but Salmi moves away
and Salmi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Baker thinking.
Baker throws a right and a left that both miss.
Salmi throws a fast counter high kick but Baker manages to duck under it in time.
Baker throws a right hand that misses
and Salmi counters with a two punch combo.
Baker throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Salmi.
Salmi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Baker with a body shot.
Baker misses the shot to the body.
Baker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Salmi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Baker wants to clinch
and Salmi counters with a right hand to the body.
Salmi keeps the fight on the outside.
Salmi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Baker with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Salmi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Baker just misses with a punch to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Baker. Salmi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Baker misses with a left hand
and Salmi counters with a right hand to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Baker throws an off balance right hand
letting Salmi counter with a right hand.
Baker misses with a shot to the body
and Salmi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A shot to the body from Baker misses
and Salmi counters with a left to the body.
Baker misses with a right hand
and Salmi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Baker thinking.
Baker misses with a double jab
and Salmi counters with a left to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eerikki Salmi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Baker tries to close the distance and clinch up but Salmi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Salmi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
No joy there for Baker, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Baker rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Salmi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Salmi unleashes a big counter combination but Baker bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Eerikki Salmi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Baker falls off balance throwing a combination
and Salmi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Baker throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Salmi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Sloppy strikes from Baker. Those never looked like landing.
As Baker backs off Salmi throws a huge counter combo but Baker manages to avoid it all.
A head kick by Baker misses
and Salmi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Salmi.
Salmi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Baker with a body shot.
Baker swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Salmi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Salmi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker just misses with a punch to the body.
A countering left hand to the body from Salmi misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Salmi slips a jab and a cross from Baker.
Salmi avoids the body shot from Baker.
Baker will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Salmi throws a big counter head kick but Baker avoids it with no problem.
Salmi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Baker misses with a combination
and Salmi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Baker tries to clinch but Salmi moves away
and Salmi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Baker thinking.
Baker lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Salmi circles away quickly and effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Baker misses
enabling Salmi to counter with a crisp jab.
Baker walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Salmi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Salmi blocks the body kick.
Salmi throws a counter combo.
Baker throws a right and a left that Salmi avoids nicely.
Baker throws a left and a right that both miss
and Salmi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Baker throws a shot from downtown. Salmi moves away and avoids it.
Salmi throws a counter combo.
Baker throws a sloppy head kick and Salmi moves out of range easily.
Baker swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Salmi counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baker misses with a hook to the body
and Salmi counters with a one-two to the body.
Brian Baker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Baker misses with a right hand
and Salmi counters with a nice body shot.
Baker misses with a hook to the body
and Salmi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salmi avoids the body shot from Baker.
Baker looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Baker misses with a combination
and Salmi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Baker misses with a few strikes there.
Salmi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Baker with a body shot.
Baker falls off balance throwing a combination
and Salmi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Baker looks to clinch
and Salmi counters with a two punch combo.
Baker misses with a shot to the body
and Salmi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Baker misses the body punch
and Salmi counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker throws a body shot but no joy.
A countering left hand to the body from Salmi misses.
Baker throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Salmi.
Salmi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Baker throws a left and a right that both miss
and Salmi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Salmi checks a leg kick nicely.
Salmi let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Baker fails to land with a series of punches.
Baker throws a series of punches but Salmi moves out of range.
Baker throws a body punch but Salmi moves out of range.
Salmi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Baker swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Salmi counters with a nice kick to the body.
Baker will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eerikki Salmi really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Baker wants to clinch
and Salmi counters with a straight right hand.
Salmi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Baker.
Baker lands a two punch combo.
Baker misses with a shot to the body
and Salmi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sloppy strikes from Baker. Those never looked like landing.
A countering left hand to the body from Salmi misses.
Baker misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker swings widly with a right hand
and Salmi counters with a left to the body.
Baker lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Salmi circles away quickly and effectively.
Salmi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Baker looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Baker misses with an uppercut
and Salmi counters with a left and a right that stings Baker.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baker throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Salmi counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Baker throws a right hand that Salmi ducks under and follows up with a left that Salmi also avoids with ease.
Baker misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Salmi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Baker falls off balance throwing a combination
and Salmi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Baker tries a head kick but it misses.
Salmi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Baker throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Salmi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Baker misses with a jab to the body
and Salmi counters with a one-two to the body.
Baker throws a left and a right that both miss
and Salmi counters with a nice body shot.
Baker swings widly with a right hand
and Salmi counters with a left to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker tries to clinch
and Salmi counters with a three punch combo that has Baker backing up. Baker nods at Salmi to acknowledge the strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baker misses with a left hand
and Salmi counters with a right hand to the body.
Salmi blocks a head kick by Baker.
Baker throws a lazy uppercut
and Salmi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Baker misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Baker misses with an uppercut. Salmi saw that one coming.
Baker throws a solid leg kick but Salmi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Baker.
Baker swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Salmi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Salmi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Baker.
Baker rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Salmi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Salmi misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Baker.
Baker throws out a loose jab but Salmi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Baker swings widly with a right hand
and Salmi counters with a right hand to the body.
Brian Baker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Baker. Salmi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Salmi is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Baker misses with a series of wild punches.
Baker throws an off balance right hand
and Salmi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Baker tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Baker fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Salmi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Baker throws a body shot but no joy.
Salmi looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker throws a combination that misses
and Salmi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Baker throws a right and a left that both miss.
Salmi doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Baker misses with a two punch combination.
Salmi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Baker with a body shot.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Baker might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Salmi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Baker throws out the jab.
Salmi doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Baker throws a head kick that misses
and Salmi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Baker thinking.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baker throws a jab but it's blocked by Salmi.
A countering left hand to the body from Salmi misses.
Baker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Salmi was well out of range. Poor timing from Baker.
Salmi unleashes a big counter combination but Baker bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Baker goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Salmi raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
A big right from Baker misses.
Salmi let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Baker misses with a body shot
and Salmi counters with a nice body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eerikki Salmi dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Baker throws a leg kick but Salmi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Salmi raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Baker throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Salmi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Baker misses with a combination
and Salmi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Baker misses with a low kick.
Salmi looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Baker looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Baker throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Salmi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salmi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Baker misses with a jab to the body
enabling Salmi to counter with a crisp jab.
Salmi walks into a left hand.
Baker falls off balance throwing a combination
and Salmi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Baker thinking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker throws a body punch but Salmi moves out of range.
Salmi doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Baker swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Salmi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Baker swings away with a body shot that misses
and Salmi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Salmi checks a leg kick.
Salmi is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Salmi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Baker.
Baker throws a sloppy body shot
and Salmi counters with a stiff right hand.
Baker throws a right hand that Salmi ducks under and follows up with a left that Salmi also avoids with ease.
Eerikki Salmi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salmi walks into a straight right hand from Baker.
A slow jab from Baker misses its intended target.
Baker wants to clinch up but Salmi keeps it at a distance.
Baker falls off balance throwing a combination
and Salmi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Brian Baker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Baker misses with a lunging right hand
and Salmi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Baker misses with a combination
and Salmi counters with a nice body shot.
Baker fails to land with a series of punches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baker wants to clinch
and Salmi counters with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker misses with a double jab
and Salmi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Baker misses with a hook to the body
and Salmi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Baker throws a sloppy body shot
and Salmi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Salmi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Baker goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Baker misses with a lunging right hand
and Salmi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Baker throws a combination that misses
and Salmi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Baker falls off balance throwing a combination
and Salmi counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker tries to clinch but Salmi moves away
and Salmi counters with a right hand to the body.
Salmi ducks under a wild hook from Baker.
A nice side step and Salmi releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Baker looks to clinch
and Salmi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Baker throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Salmi counters with a nice body shot.
Baker throws a left and a right that both miss
and Salmi counters with a flying knee. Nice.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baker swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Salmi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Baker throws a right and a left that Salmi avoids nicely.
Salmi throws a fast counter high kick but Baker manages to duck under it in time.
Baker wants to clinch but Salmi slips to the side
and Salmi counters with a nice body shot.
Baker wants to clinch up but Salmi keeps it at a distance.
Salmi takes a body punch but keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eerikki Salmi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Salmi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 46:50
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 45:50
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eerikki Salmi!
Eerikki Salmi seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.