PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pekka Salo (ranked 4815 p4p, 4789 weight class) and Paska Pentele (ranked 444 p4p, 442 weight class). The key to victory for Pekka Salo has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Salo
vs
Pentele

182 cm
18
185
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
185
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pekka Salo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paska Pentele!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Aafke Stam and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pentele shoots in for a double leg but Salo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Pentele throws a big shot that misses.
Pentele tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Salo was well out of range. Poor timing from Pentele.
The fight stays on the outside here - Salo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Salo shoots in and drives through. Pentele sprawls well.
Salo throws a body kick that misses.
Pentele fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Pentele tries for a takedown but Salo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Pekka Salo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paska Pentele.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pentele stuffs the takedown.
Pentele stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pentele wants it to stay on the feet.
Pentele is looking for the big counter here.
Salo tries to clinch but Pentele moves out of range.
Pentele misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
As Pentele looks to move away, Salo throws a big counter combo but Pentele just gets out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pentele defends it nicely.
Pentele unleashes a big counter combination but Salo bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Salo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pentele throws a body punch but Salo moves out of range.
Salo shoots for a takedown but Pentele saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pentele is looking to score with low kicks.
Pentele is trying hard to land a takedown here. Salo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Pentele shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Salo as he jumps to the side.
Salo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Salo tries for a takedown but Pentele sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salo dives in and grabs Pentele's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pentele pushes down on Salo's head and hops out.

Pentele darts in and clinches Salo up against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Pentele.
Salo is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Pentele to keep the fight standing.
Salo throws an elbow that misses.
Salo stops a takedown attempt from Pentele.

Pentele manages to pull guard.
Pentele lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Salo working a defensive guard but Pentele manages to pass into side control anyway.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pentele content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pentele wants to stand but Salo has his arm trapped.
Pentele looks up at the clock and then as Salo takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Pentele smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Pentele gets to mount! Salo was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Pentele controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Pentele is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Salo is surviving well by controlling Pentele's body position as best he can.
Pentele throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Salo because Pentele loaded up on that one.
Pentele content just to control the position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Salo is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Pentele ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Salo is looking to clinch.
Salo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Salo tries to clinch up but Pentele circles away and keeps his distance.
Salo looks for a takedown but Pentele sprawls well.
Pentele defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Salo.
Pentele fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Salo avoids it really well and circles away.
Pekka Salo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salo fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pekka Salo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Pentele shoots in but no luck this time.
Pentele stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pentele wants it to stay on the feet.
Salo shoots in for a double leg but Pentele sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pentele shoots in and drives through. Salo sprawls well.
Salo tries to clinch up.
Salo stuffs the takedown attempt from Pentele. Pentele gets slowly back to his feet.
Salo checks a leg kick.
Salo shoots for a takedown but Pentele saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pentele displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Salo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Pentele swivels and escapes.
Pentele throws a jab but it's blocked by Salo.
Salo blocks a head kick by Pentele.

Pentele gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Pentele tries for a takedown but Salo manages to get underhooks.
Salo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Pentele walks away with a smile on his face. Salo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Salo wants to clinch.
Pentele shoots in and drives through. Salo sprawls well.
Salo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pentele.
Salo is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Pentele.
Pentele has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pentele looks for a takedown but Salo sprawls well.

Pentele moves into the clinch.
Salo tries for a takedown but Pentele manages to get underhooks.
Salo can't get the takedown.

Pentele manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Pentele wants to stand but Salo is controlling the position.
Pentele has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Pentele lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pentele advances position into side control!

Pentele stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Salo has a takedown stuffed.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Salo dives in and grabs Pentele's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pentele pushes down on Salo's head and hops out.

Pentele gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Paska Pentele showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Pentele throws a leg kick but Salo moved away.
Salo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pentele shoots for a takedown but Salo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Salo drops down looking for a counter takedown but Pentele sprawls and moves away.
We've been informed that Pentele has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Pentele closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Salo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Pentele is trying to break the clinch but Salo is controlling him.
Pentele tries to pull guard but Salo forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Salo tries a body shot but Pentele blocks it.
Pentele wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salo is trying to stall.
Pentele is trying to force a seperation but Salo has the dominant position.
Salo jumps guard but Pentele stands there with Salo around his waist. Salo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pentele is trying to drag Salo to the mat but Salo just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Pekka Salo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paska Pentele.

Pentele has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Salo uses from the top position.
Pentele managing to control the position.
Salo tries to stand but Pentele is controlling from the bottom.
Pentele has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Salo wants to control from the top but Pentele keeps moving.

Salo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Pentele can do anything to dispel that myth.

Pentele is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Salo defends well.
Pentele looking for a sweep. Not yet Pentele, not yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salo throws a head kick that Pentele semi-blocks.
Pentele stuffs the takedown attempt from Salo. Salo gets slowly back to his feet.
Salo slaps away a takedown attempt from Pentele, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Pentele throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Salo's waist but Salo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pentele off to one side.
Salo appears to be looking for a big counter.
Salo is looking to clinch.
Pentele feints the counter takedown.
Salo wants to clinch up but Pentele keeps it at a distance.
Salo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pentele keeps the fight on the outside.
Pentele misses with a takedown attempt - Salo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Salo misses with a leg kick

so Pentele counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Salo manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pentele manages to get himself to full guard.

Pentele has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Salo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Pentele working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Salo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Salo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Paska Pentele.
Well Pentele 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paska Pentele!