PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bala Bala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kari Salmelainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bala comes to the cage accompanied by Tough at the top. Salmelainen comes into a darkened arena with his song building. At This Velocity kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bala
vs
Salmelainen

185 cm
24
191 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

190 cm
24
184 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bala Bala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kari Salmelainen!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bala tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Salmelainen is able to avoid easily.
Salmelainen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Salmelainen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Salmelainen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bala paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Bala as Salmelainen shoots in.
Bala fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bala does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Salmelainen tries to land a leg kick but Bala saw it coming and moves away.
Salmelainen fails with the takedown
and Bala connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Salmelainen tries to clinch up

and Bala counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Bala won't allow Salmelainen to get back to his feet.

Bala is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Salmelainen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Salmelainen has his foot on Bala's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bala works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bala stands and throws Salmelainen's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Salmelainen is trying to get back to his feet.
Bala tries to move to mount but Salmelainen blocks the move with his legs.
Bala looks up at the clock and then as Salmelainen takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Bala smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Salmelainen is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salmelainen looks gassed!
Bala trying to control the action but Salmelainen is working from the bottom.
Salmelainen is trying to get back to half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Salmelainen shoots in for a double leg but Bala sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bala Bala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kari Salmelainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
A big left from Bala misses.
Bala throws a leg kick that is checked

and Salmelainen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Bala is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Salmelainen defends well.

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

Salmelainen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Salmelainen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Bala is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Bala is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Salmelainen rolls with it to try and escape but Bala cranks on the arm and Salmelainen is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Bala Bala!