PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Winston Salem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Strong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Salem
vs
Strong

194 cm
18
194 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
193 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 Sydney, Winston Salem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jack Strong!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Skip Squint and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salem tries to clinch but Strong moves out of range.
Salem is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Salem wants to clinch up but Strong keeps it at a distance.
Salem drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Salem swinging wildly here.
Salem throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Strong.
Salem shoots in looking for a takedown. Strong tries to sprawl out of it but Salem keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Strong manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Salem fails with an attempt to clinch.
Strong uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Salem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice cross by Salem.

It looks like Jack Strong has been cut.
Salem throws the left hand but Strong avoids the punch easily.
No joy there for Strong, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Salem swings for the body but Strong moves out of range.
Salem throws a left and a right that both miss
and Strong counters with a left to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salem closes the distance looking to clinch
and Strong counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Salem smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Salem misses with a double jab
and Strong counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Salem throws out a loose jab but Strong uses good head movement to avoid it.
A big left from Salem misses.
Strong lands with an uppercut that bounces Salem off the cage and back into rage.
Salem takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Salem dives in and grabs Strong's left leg, looking for a takedown. Strong pushes down on Salem's head and hops out.
Strong connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Salem throws a jab when Strong was well out of range.
Salem wants to clinch but Strong slips to the side
and Strong connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Salem wants to clinch but Strong slips to the side
and Strong counters with a straight right hand.
Salem is breathing heavily.
Strong avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strong scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Strong avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Strong ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Salem tries to clinch
and Strong counters with a stiff right hand.
Strong misses with a series of wild punches.
Salem falls off balance throwing a combination
and Strong counters with a nice uppercut.
Strong has a takedown stuffed.

Strong moves into range and clinches up with Salem.
Salem blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Strong wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Strong lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Salem takes a shot to the head.
Strong lands a left hand that snaps the head of Salem backwards.

Salem breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Salem throws a combination that misses
and Strong counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Salem tries to clinch but Strong moves away

and Strong counters by clinching up.
Strong is trying to break the clinch but Salem is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strong avoiding damage.
Salem keeps control of Strong as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Strong.
Salem swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A shot in the inside from Salem.
Strong tries to break the clinch but Salem is controlling the position.
Salem is trying to break the clinch but Strong is controlling him.
Salem blocking some punches.
Salem taking a breather.
Strong lands a left hand.
Strong misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Strong fails to land.
Salem misses with a punch on the inside.
Strong lands an uppercut.
Strong is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Salem is keeping busy.
Strong dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Strong creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Salem swings wildly with an uppercut but Strong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Strong misses with some punches.
Strong looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Strong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Strong is trying to maintain a safe position but Salem gets an underhook and turns Strong into the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Strong creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Strong scores with an uppercut up the middle.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Salem.

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.
Strong has a couple of punches blocked by Salem.
Strong misses with a short punch on the inside.
A body shot lands from Strong.
Strong lands with a short shot to the head.
Strong lands an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Strong.
Strong gets underhooks to prevent Salem's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Winston Salem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strong is looking to break free of the clinch but Salem has double underhooks.
Salem lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Strong has had enough of the clinch but Salem keeps him there for the moment.
A short right from Strong.
Strong misses with a punch on the inside.
Strong makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Salem doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Strong blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Strong digs a right hand into Salem's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Salem's gas tank.
Salem lands a left hand that snaps the head of Strong backwards.
A shot in the inside from Strong.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Strong.
Strong lands a right hand.
Salem prevents Strong from breaking the clinch.
A short right from Strong on the inside.
Strong scores with a shot to the side of Salem's head.
Strong scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Strong lands a hook to the side of the head.
Salem is trying to maintain a safe position but Strong gets an underhook and turns Salem into the cage.
Strong lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A left hand lands to the body for Strong.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Winston Salem dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jack Strong's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Strong lands an overhand right.
Strong digs a good body shot into Salem's ribs.
Salem throws the left hand but Strong avoids the punch easily.
Salem throws a shot from downtown. Strong moves away and avoids it.
Salem takes one to the chin there.
A right-left combo lands from Strong.

Strong clinches up against the cage.
Strong blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Salem manages to break the clinch.
Salem tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Strong counter with a right hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strong scores with the left hand. Salem knows he should have avoided that one.
Salem shoots for a double leg takedown but Strong sprawls well. He's pushed Salem's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Salem throws a looping overhand right but Strong ducks down to avoid it.
Strong scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salem swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Strong holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Salem blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Strong misses with a short punch on the inside.
Salem's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Strong can't break the clinch.
Strong lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Salem is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Strong is keeping busy.
Strong softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Salem looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Strong lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right from Strong on the inside.
Strong tries to break the clinch but Salem is controlling the position.
Strong working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A body shot lands from Strong.
Strong works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Strong creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Strong blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Strong misses with a punch on the inside.
Strong is trying to stall.
Salem keeps control of Strong as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Salem.
A short right from Strong.
Strong lands a shoulder strike.

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.
Strong gets through Salem's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Strong blocks an uppercut.
Strong lands an uppercut.
Strong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Strong scores with a shoulder strike.
Strong lands with a short shot to the head.

Strong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Salem tries to clinch
and Strong connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Strong thuds a left hand into Salem's body.
Salem on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Salem is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Strong misses with the combination.
Salem thows a left - swing and a miss!
Salem closes the distance looking to clinch
and Strong counters with a nice uppercut.
Salem throws a looping overhand right but Strong ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salem swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Strong goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
A jab from Salem misses.
Salem with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Strong to score with a decent uppercut.
A decent looking cross lands there for Strong.
Salem closes this distance looking for a takedown but Strong circles away.
A lazy left from Strong finds it's target.
Strong throws a sloppy head kick and Salem moves out of range easily.
Salem looks to land a right hand but Strong moved out of range.
Strong moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Strong fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Strong slaps away a takedown attempt from Salem, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Winston Salem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Decent striking displayed by Strong there.

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.
Danga de danga de dang - Strong scores with a four punch combination!
Salem closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Salem tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Strong counter with a right hand.
Winston Salem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strong takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Strong lunges at Salem with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Salem's hand.
Salem tries to clinch but Strong moves away
and Strong counters with a nice leg kick.
Strong connects with the punch.
Strong throws a shot to the body.
Winston Salem is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Salem throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Strong counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Strong moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Strong bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Salem's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Strong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jack Strong's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Strong connects with a nice looking jab.
Salem throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Salem looks to clinch
and Strong counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Strong lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Strong keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Salem throws a left and a right that both miss
and Salem takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Salem darts in trying to clinch
letting Strong counter with a right hand.
Salem tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Salem takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice leg kick lands there from Strong.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Strong lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Salem falls off balance throwing a combination
and Strong cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strong works over Salem's head and body with a nice combination.

Strong closes the distance and pushes Salem back into the cage.
Strong is trying to break the clinch but Salem has him pressed against the cage.
Strong working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Strong scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Strong wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Strong blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Strong can't break the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Strong.
Salem misses with the head strike.
Strong tries to stall but Salem uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Strong lands an uppercut.
Salem is trying to force a seperation but Strong has the dominant position.
Strong trying to land knees to the body.
Strong has had enough of the clinch but Salem keeps him there for the moment.
Salem keeps control of Strong as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Salem prevents Strong from breaking the clinch.
Strong slowing the pace effectively.
Strong lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Salem tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Strong blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Strong lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Salem.
A short left from Strong.
Strong wants to break free but Salem has control.
Strong scores with a nice hook to the head.
Salem misses with a hook from the clinch.
Strong gets through Salem's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Salem is trying to force a seperation but Strong has the dominant position.
Strong lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Salem swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Strong lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Salem backwards.
Strong lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Strong throws an elbow but it misses.
Strong scores with a hook to the body.
Strong throws a punch but it's blocked by Salem.
Strong lands a hook that snaps the head of Salem backwards.
Strong gets through Salem's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Strong lands a nice shot to the body.
Strong scores with a shoulder strike.
Strong lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right from Strong.

Strong breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Strong lands a jab to Salem's midsection.
Strong comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nice jab there from Strong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strong stuns Salem with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Salem takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Salem tries to move into range but Strong moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Strong circles away from the clinch attempt
and Strong counters with a stiff right hand.
Horrible takedown by Salem or perhaps it was just good defense by Strong which made him look bad.
Strong cracks Salem with an open hand slap.
Salem gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Strong.
Jack Strong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Strong lands a jab.
Salem looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Salem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Winston Salem. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Strong with a hook.
Strong lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Salem throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Strong counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Strong moves into the clinch.
Strong is pushing Salem up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Strong lands a nice uppercut.
Strong misses with some punches.
Strong wants to get back to striking at distance but Salem won't allow it.
Strong has had enough of the clinch but Salem keeps him there for the moment.
Salem throws a punch but it's blocked by Strong.
Strong wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Strong lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Salem backwards.
Strong trying to stall but Salem improves his position.
Strong lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Salem backwards.
Salem has a couple of punches blocked by Strong.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Strong.
Strong misses with a punch on the inside.
Salem working aggressively here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Strong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Strong 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Strong!