PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cleon Salmon (ranked 3880 p4p, 0 weight class) and Angel Gifford (ranked 5660 p4p, 0 weight class). Cleon Salmon has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Salmon
vs
Gifford

196 cm
25
240 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
252 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Cleon Salmon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Angel Gifford!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Sandra Marshall and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gifford checks a leg kick nicely.
Salmon throws a head kick that misses
and Gifford counters with a big head kick but Salmon shrugs it off.
Gifford swats away the attempt to clinch by Salmon.
Gifford looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Salmon is fending him off so far but Gifford persists. Nope, Salmon circles away and we're back to standing.
Salmon looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Gifford has managed to clinch.

Gifford breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salmon defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gifford.
Salmon stuffs the takedown attempt from Gifford. Gifford gets slowly back to his feet.
Cleon Salmon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Angel Gifford.

Gifford closes the distance and pushes Salmon back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salmon goes for a takedown attempt but Gifford pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Salmon has a takedown stuffed.
Salmon closes the distance and clinches up with Gifford, looking for a takedown. Salmon pushes Gifford against the cage but Gifford circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gifford unleashes a big counter combination but Salmon bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Gifford has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gifford lands a knee to the body.

Gifford jumps into guard, dragging Salmon to the mat.
Salmon wants to stand and escape but instead Gifford has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Gifford trying to stand up but can't free himself from Salmon's guard.
Gifford is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gifford stands up from Salmon's guard - Gifford perhaps looking for a knockout.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Salmon.
Salmon looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gifford darts in looking for a takedown but Salmon gets double underhooks and turns Gifford into the cage.

Gifford has managed to clinch.
Salmon is trying to force a seperation but Gifford has the dominant position.
Gifford is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Salmon is defending well.
Gifford is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gifford breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Salmon misses with a head kick.
Salmon scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gifford doesn't seem bothered though.
Salmon throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Gifford counters with a nice uppercut.
Salmon is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gifford.
Gifford fails with the takedown.
Salmon tries to counter by clinching up but Gifford breaks away and moves out of range.
Salmon misses with a takedown attempt

and Gifford counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Gifford has Salmon pressed against the cage.
Gifford stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Gifford has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Salmon uses from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gifford is trying to control the position but Salmon postures up.
Salmon postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gifford pulls Salmon in close to his closed guard and prevents Salmon from doing any damage or advancing position.
Gifford being controlled here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Angel Gifford dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gifford is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Gifford stuffs the takedown attempt from Salmon. Salmon gets slowly back to his feet.
Gifford dives in and grabs Salmon's left leg, looking for a takedown. Salmon pushes down on Gifford's head and hops out.
Gifford throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Salmon counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gifford takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gifford doesn't manage to clinch there - Salmon circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gifford has managed to clinch.

Gifford breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Salmon fails in his attempt to clinch.

Oooooh!!! Salmon has knocked Gifford down with a huge combo! Salmon steps away and waves a wobbly Gifford back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

It looks like Angel Gifford has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gifford stuffs the takedown.

Salmon gets tackled into the cage by Gifford. Gifford maintains the clinch.
Salmon tries to break free but Gifford pushes him back against the cage.

Gifford breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Salmon shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gifford defends it nicely.
Gifford lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cleon Salmon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Salmon tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gifford swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gifford wants to clinch
and Salmon counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Gifford takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Gifford has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Salmon shoots in looking for a takedown but Gifford manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Salmon's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gifford shoots in and drives through. Salmon sprawls well.
Salmon shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gifford as he avoids it easily.
Salmon stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Salmon wants it to stay on the feet.
Gifford is breathing heavily.

Gifford has closed the distance and engaged Salmon in a clinch.
Gifford lands a knee to the body.
Salmon changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gifford fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Gifford stuffs the takedown.
Gifford tries to score a power double leg takedown but Salmon sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gifford somewhat.

Gifford shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gifford passes to full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gifford avoids the attempt from Salmon to control.
Salmon squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Gifford wants to control the pace but Salmon is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gifford lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Salmon throws a strike but has given up his back in the process.
Gifford is hanging on to Salmon's back as he tries to escape.
Salmon trying to control but not successfully.

Gifford looking for the choke but no joy.
Salmon is taking damage to the body and head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Angel Gifford will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Angel Gifford's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gifford takes a swing at Salmon's ribcage but misses.
Salmon's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Salmon duly obliges.
Gifford gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Salmon counter with a right hand.

Salmon bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Salmon prevents Gifford from escaping the position.
You can see the frustration on Gifford's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gifford gets back to half guard.
Gifford wants to control but Salmon is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salmon missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gifford trying to control but Salmon postures up.
Salmon thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Salmon tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Gifford.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Salmon dives in and grabs Gifford's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gifford pushes down on Salmon's head and hops out.

Salmon tries to keep at a distance but Gifford has taken the fight into the clinch.
Salmon drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gifford gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salmon tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gifford just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cleon Salmon. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gifford is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Salmon can't fight it off and eventually Gifford manages to take the fight to the floor. Salmon looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gifford trying to control but Salmon is working from the bottom.
Gifford lands a couple of elbows.
Salmon keeping full guard, as Gifford tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gifford trying to control but Salmon is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Gifford fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Salmon or perhaps it was just good defense by Gifford, which made it look bad.
Gifford tries to counter with a clinch but Salmon shakes him off and moves away.
Gifford will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gifford takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Salmon wants to clinch up but Gifford keeps it at a distance.
Salmon throws a low kick, looking for Gifford's leg but Gifford calmly moves out of range.
Salmon shoots in for a takedown but Gifford shows good takedown defense.
Salmon tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gifford sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Salmon somewhat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Salmon throws a sloppy head kick and Gifford moves out of range easily.
Gifford with the counter takedown but Salmon avoids it easily.
Salmon tries a head kick but it misses.
And Gifford tries to counter it with a takedown but Salmon pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Cleon Salmon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Angel Gifford is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Salmon fails with the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Cleon Salmon.
I think Gifford 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 28:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Angel Gifford!