PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ray Ricketts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elmeri Salonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Ricketts
vs
Salonen

185 cm
20
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
18
275 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ray Ricketts !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Elmeri Salonen!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Paul Tew and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ricketts keeps the fight on the outside.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ricketts throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ricketts keeps the fight on the outside.
Ricketts takes a swing at Salonen's ribcage but misses.
Salonen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ricketts paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Salonen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Salonen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ricketts swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Salonen throws a right and a left that Ricketts avoids nicely.
Salonen tries to clinch up but Ricketts circles away and keeps his distance.

Ricketts gets a takedown into half guard.
Salonen is trying to stand back up but Ricketts is controlling him
Salonen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ricketts scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ricketts not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ground and pound from Ricketts .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricketts working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ricketts throwing shots but Salonen is blocking nicely.
Ricketts really is a fat lump.
Ricketts missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ricketts trying to pass the guard but Salonen defending well.
Ricketts is nestled in close to Salonen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ricketts working over Salonen with some ground and pound. Salonen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ricketts prevents Salonen from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salonen taking some punishment here, with Ricketts in his half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ricketts connects with a nice short shot to Salonen's temple.
Salonen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ricketts . If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ricketts throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ricketts looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ricketts drops an elbow to the side of Salonen's head.
Salonen looks gassed!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ricketts prevents Salonen from standing back up.
Ricketts takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Salonen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ricketts has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricketts not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Salonen wants to get back to his feet.
Ricketts slips a nice elbow through Salonen's hands, connecting with Salonen's forehead.
Salonen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ricketts .
Ricketts prevents Salonen from standing back up.
Ricketts scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ricketts connects with a nice short shot to Salonen's temple.
Ricketts winds up and cracks Salonen with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ricketts drops an elbow to the side of Salonen's head.
Ricketts throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Salonen is trying to stand.
Ricketts lands with a punch from half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ricketts working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Salonen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ricketts scores with a couple of nice shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ricketts closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Salonen did well to prevent Ricketts getting side control.
Salonen trying to control from the bottom.
Salonen taking some punishment here, with Ricketts in his half guard.
Ricketts throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ricketts throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ricketts lands with a punch from half guard.
Ricketts thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ricketts throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricketts is thwarting Salonen's attempts to control the position.
Ricketts sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Salonen defending well though.
Ricketts thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Salonen tries to clinch but Ricketts moves out of range.
Salonen tries to clinch but Ricketts moves out of range.
Salonen moves in looking to clinch but Ricketts pushes him off.
Salonen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Salonen moves in looking to clinch but Ricketts pushes him off.
Salonen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Salonen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ricketts .
Salonen fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Salonen tries to close the distance and clinch but Ricketts swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Salonen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ricketts swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ricketts keeps the fight on the outside.
Ricketts misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ricketts fails with a takedown attempt.
Ricketts avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Salonen tries to clinch up.
Ricketts shoots in and drives through. Salonen sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ray Ricketts . That's going to take a lot out of him.

Salonen instigates a clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ricketts looking for a takedown.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ricketts is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Salonen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Salonen connects with a knee to the head.
Ricketts wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salonen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ricketts is trying to drag Salonen to the mat but Salonen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Salonen lands an elbow inside that Ricketts shrugs off.
Ricketts tries for a takedown but Salonen manages to get underhooks.
Salonen gets underhooks to prevent Ricketts 's takedown attempt.
Salonen landing knees to the head.
Ricketts tries to score a body lock takedown but Salonen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Salonen is pressed up against the cage. Ricketts has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Salonen down to the mat. Salonen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Ricketts gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ricketts blocks an uppercut.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ricketts as Salonen tries to tie him up.
Salonen is working for takedown but Ricketts is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ricketts can't get the takedown.
Salonen looking for a takedown.

Salonen breaks the clinch.
Ricketts dives in and grabs Salonen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Salonen pushes down on Ricketts 's head and hops out.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ricketts looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Salonen tries to clinch but Ricketts is having none of it.
Ricketts shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Salonen defends it nicely.
Salonen tries to clinch there but Ricketts circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salonen clinches but Ricketts breaks the clinch

and Ricketts counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Ricketts lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ricketts lands with a punch from half guard.
Ricketts stops Salonen from getting back to his feet.
Ricketts sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Salonen defending well though.
Ricketts stops Salonen from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Ricketts dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ricketts fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Salonen avoids it really well and circles away.

Ricketts shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ricketts throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ricketts thows a huge punch but Salonen dodges it nicely.
Salonen pushes Ricketts off but Ricketts dives into side control.
Ricketts throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salonen is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Ricketts has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ricketts is putting a hurting on Salonen here, landing some big shots from side control.
Ricketts working the body and head with strikes.
Ricketts working the ground and pound from side control.
Salonen wants to get back to his feet.
Salonen takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ricketts lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Salonen takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Ricketts throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Salonen parries the strikes from Ricketts easily there. Ricketts is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Salonen to escape.
Ricketts cracks Salonen with a big elbow.
Salonen taking a bit of punishment here - Ricketts scoring with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricketts working the ground and pound.
Ricketts tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Ricketts in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Ricketts lands an elbow.
Ricketts scoring with punches from side control.
Salonen takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ricketts is chipping away with strikes.

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.
The strikes coming from Ricketts are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Salonen is pushing Ricketts 's head away, looking to escape. Ricketts manages to hold on to the position though.
Salonen wants to get back to his feet but Ricketts is dominant here and he's now got Salonen's back!
Ricketts gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Salonen holding both Ricketts 's hands and preventing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Ricketts .

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Ricketts showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ricketts , winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 30:26
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:26
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Ricketts !