PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Galaganokas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric SAlcido (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Galaganokas
vs
SAlcido

174 cm
18
156 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johnny Galaganokas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eric SAlcido!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Reed Andrews and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Galaganokas feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
SAlcido trying to control the position here.
SAlcido trying to keep a closed guard but Galaganokas is proving a slippery customer.

SAlcido scrambles and gets back to his feet.

SAlcido scores with a takedown into Galaganokas's guard.
Galaganokas trying to keep a closed guard but SAlcido is proving a slippery customer.
SAlcido wants to control from the top but Galaganokas keeps moving.

SAlcido gets to his feet - Galaganokas follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.

SAlcido gets a takedown into half guard.
Galaganokas works his way to full guard. Good work.
SAlcido with a flurry of punches that miss.
Galaganokas is trying to control the position from the bottom.
SAlcido controlling from the top position.
SAlcido must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
SAlcido wants to control from the top but Galaganokas keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Galaganokas looking for a sweep. Not yet Galaganokas, not yet.
SAlcido passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Galaganokas is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
SAlcido sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Galaganokas defending well though.
Galaganokas wants to get back to his feet.
Galaganokas trying to control from the bottom.
Galaganokas is breathing heavily.
Galaganokas blocking the ground and pound attempt from SAlcido.

SAlcido is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Galaganokas kicks off SAlcido and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Galaganokas is looking to land body kicks.

Galaganokas looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Galaganokas is trying to control the action in half guard but SAlcido is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
SAlcido tries to roll over but Galaganokas keeps him under control.
SAlcido is holding on to half guard well.
SAlcido is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Galaganokas is looking for a kimura but SAlcido is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Galaganokas to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Galaganokas is just content to waste time from the top position. SAlcido takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Galaganokas tries to free his leg and advance position but SAlcido is retaining full guard.
Galaganokas looking to sit in guard and control but SAlcido gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Galaganokas looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Galaganokas had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. SAlcido is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Galaganokas Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take SAlcido's back instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Eric SAlcido will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Galaganokas tries for a takedown but SAlcido circles away easily

so SAlcido counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
SAlcido looking to pass the guard.
SAlcido postures up in Galaganokas's guard and throws a big left but Galaganokas blocks it.
Galaganokas looking to control.

Galaganokas throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Galaganokas looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Galaganokas trying to strike off his back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Galaganokas has SAlcido pulled in close to control his posture.
SAlcido is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Galaganokas is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Galaganokas controls SAlcido momentarily but SAlcido frees himself.

Galaganokas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. SAlcido doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. SAlcido manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
SAlcido showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
SAlcido's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
SAlcido wants to pass the guard but Galaganokas is keeping the position.
SAlcido wants to control from the top but Galaganokas keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Galaganokas wants to land a leg kick but SAlcido is out of range.
Galaganokas misses with a jab, cross combination.

SAlcido rushes Galaganokas and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Galaganokas fails to pull the fight into his guard.

SAlcido escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Galaganokas fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Galaganokas. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Galaganokas gets a takedown into half guard.
SAlcido gets full guard.
Galaganokas stays in close to SAlcido's body and controls the position.
Galaganokas trying to control but SAlcido is working from the bottom.
Galaganokas looking to pass the guard.
Galaganokas would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
SAlcido keeping moving, preventing Galaganokas from controlling successfully.
SAlcido wants to hit a switch here but Galaganokas passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for SAlcido there!
SAlcido is trying desperately to improve position.
Eric SAlcido has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee warns SAlcido that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
SAlcido wants to get back to his feet.
SAlcido is squirming around, avoiding Galaganokas's attempts to control the action.

Galaganokas jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… SAlcido is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by SAlcido and Galaganokas has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric SAlcido showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

SAlcido gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and SAlcido takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
SAlcido is looking to land body kicks.
SAlcido doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Galaganokas counters with a single leg into guard. SAlcido didn't expect that.
SAlcido working a defensive guard here.
Galaganokas tries to stand but SAlcido is controlling from the bottom.
Galaganokas postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
SAlcido trying to strike off his back.
SAlcido is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
SAlcido is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

SAlcido isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Galaganokas stacks SAlcido on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Galaganokas!
SAlcido sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
SAlcido wants to control but Galaganokas is keeping busy.
Galaganokas prevents SAlcido from improving his position.
Galaganokas trying to control from half guard but SAlcido is working away.
SAlcido trying to control here.

That's two 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.
SAlcido is staying active underneath Galaganokas, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Galaganokas takes the fight into the clinch.
Galaganokas is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

SAlcido jumps into guard, dragging Galaganokas to the mat.
SAlcido is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
SAlcido will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Galaganokas wanted to stand there but SAlcido had control of the position.

SAlcido scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Galaganokas shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so SAlcido counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
SAlcido is pushing down on Galaganokas's leg trying to pass to half guard. Galaganokas is fighting to maintain full guard but SAlcido has managed to sneak the leg through.

SAlcido postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Galaganokas to stand up.
Galaganokas closes this distance looking for a takedown but SAlcido circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Galaganokas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
SAlcido misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The fight stays on the outside here - Galaganokas looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
SAlcido throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Galaganokas throws a lazy head kick

and SAlcido counters with a nice double leg into guard.
SAlcido looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Galaganokas keeping moving, preventing SAlcido from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Galaganokas trying to control the position.
SAlcido looking to pass the guard.
SAlcido throws and elbow that misses. Galaganokas uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in SAlcido's guard. Nice move by Galaganokas!
Galaganokas trying to control the position from guard on top but SAlcido is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
SAlcido controlling Galaganokas's posture.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Galaganokas passes into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eric SAlcido comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well SAlcido 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 28:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric SAlcido!