PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mike RIcci (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emong Salvacion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Salvacion has chosen Till I Collapse as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

RIcci
vs
Salvacion

182 cm
21
165 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

178 cm
21
164 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mike RIcci!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Emong Salvacion!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, John Mangel and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Salvacion fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with RIcci, pushing him back against the cage.
RIcci lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Salvacion backwards.
The referee is keeping an eye on RIcci - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Salvacion tries to score a body lock takedown but RIcci shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
RIcci gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Salvacion.
RIcci tries to throw a body punch but Salvacion avoids it by throwing RIcci back against the cage.
Salvacion tries for a takedown but RIcci manages to get underhooks.
Mike RIcci has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emong Salvacion.
Salvacion goes for a takedown in the clinch but RIcci prevents it.

RIcci escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Salvacion shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Salvacion throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around RIcci's waist but RIcci gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Salvacion off to one side.
Salvacion will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
RIcci misses with a hook. Salvacion ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Salvacion misses.
Salvacion leaves RIcci with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Salvacion drives through with a takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Salvacion accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Salvacion is looking to work some ground and pound but RIcci has wrist control.
Salvacion throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as RIcci works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Salvacion is looking to work some ground and pound but RIcci has wrist control.
Salvacion loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Salvacion looking to pass the guard.
Salvacion is still trying to improve position.
Salvacion scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salvacion is working RIcci over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
RIcci is trying to keep Salvacion in close.
Salvacion scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
RIcci looking to hit a scissor sweep but Salvacion is one step ahead there.
Salvacion throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as RIcci works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
RIcci keeping moving, preventing Salvacion from controlling successfully.
Salvacion is looking to work some ground and pound but RIcci has wrist control.
RIcci looking to control.

Salvacion has gone for a leg lock! RIcci slips out almost immediately though and dives into Salvacion's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salvacion looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Mike RIcci just wasn't active enough.
Salvacion displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as RIcci throws out the jab.
RIcci misses the jab.
RIcci throws a jab when Salvacion was well out of range.
RIcci keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Salvacion fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but RIcci avoids it really well and circles away.
Salvacion misses with a takedown attempt
and RIcci counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
RIcci throws an overhand right that lands on Salvacion's shoulder, as Salvacion tries to avoid the shot.
Salvacion uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from RIcci.
Salvacion looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? RIcci is fending him off so far but Salvacion persists. Nope, RIcci circles away and we're back to standing.

Salvacion bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Salvacion is working RIcci over with some ground and pound from side control.
The ground and pound from Salvacion seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
RIcci managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Salvacion.
RIcci is looking to reverse the position.
RIcci prevents Salvacion from improving position.
Salvacion is looking to take a break and control but RIcci is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
RIcci parries the strikes from Salvacion easily there. Salvacion is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable RIcci to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emong Salvacion dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Salvacion fails with a takedown attempt.

Salvacion throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. RIcci tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Salvacion is in RIcci's guard.
Salvacion pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. RIcci is keeping the position for now.
Salvacion trying to control the position from guard on top but RIcci is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
RIcci working a defensive guard here.
RIcci avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
RIcci seems keen to control Salvacion's posture.
RIcci wants to stand up but Salvacion is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salvacion with a flurry of punches that miss.
Salvacion trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as RIcci holds on and takes a little breather.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mike RIcci wasn't doing enough on the ground.
RIcci defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Salvacion.
Salvacion slips a jab from RIcci.
RIcci jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Salvacion ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Emong Salvacion is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
RIcci misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Salvacion looks to land a combination but RIcci avoids it well.
Salvacion shoots in and drives through. RIcci sprawls well.
Mike RIcci has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emong Salvacion.
A big left from RIcci misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salvacion fails with the takedown.
RIcci throws a looping overhand right but Salvacion ducks down to avoid it.
Salvacion fails to land the takedown.
Salvacion tries for a takedown but RIcci sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Salvacion fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Salvacion fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Salvacion is defended easily by RIcci.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Salvacion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
RIcci is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Sloppy strikes there by Salvacion.
Salvacion throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and RIcci works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Salvacion wants to lay and pray for a moment but RIcci keeps working.
Salvacion is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
RIcci is looking to control Salvacion's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can RIcci avoid being mounted?
Salvacion thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed RIcci's head.
Salvacion throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing RIcci to regain full guard.
Salvacion with a flurry of punches that miss.
Salvacion tries to free his leg and advance position but RIcci is retaining full guard.
Salvacion throwing strikes from guard but RIcci blocks nicely.
Salvacion throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Emong Salvacion has got the better of the ground game so far.
RIcci wants to sweep here but Salvacion controlling him for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
RIcci controls Salvacion momentarily but Salvacion frees himself.
RIcci can't keep his opponent in guard - Salvacion advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emong Salvacion 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. And we move into the final round!

Salvacion feints and as RIcci raises his hands in defense, Salvacion changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Salvacion missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Salvacion loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
RIcci is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
RIcci tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Salvacion chips away with some ground and pound.
Salvacion throwing strikes but missing.
Salvacion postures up in RIcci's guard and throws a big left but RIcci blocks it.
Salvacion postures up and lands a big shot to RIcci's brow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salvacion throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
RIcci looking to hit a scissor sweep but Salvacion is one step ahead there.
Salvacion postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Salvacion keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of RIcci's head.
Salvacion postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Salvacion in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Salvacion has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
RIcci working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Salvacion.
Salvacion with a flurry of punches that miss.
Salvacion working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Salvacion lands a couple of digs.
Salvacion missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Salvacion is looking to work some ground and pound but RIcci has wrist control.
Mike RIcci has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salvacion trying to control but RIcci is working from the bottom.
Salvacion lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Salvacion is looking to work some ground and pound but RIcci has wrist control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Salvacion throws a big right hand that misses.
Salvacion trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Salvacion trying to control the position from guard on top but RIcci is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Salvacion throws an elbow that misses. RIcci uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Salvacion's guard. Nice move by RIcci!

Salvacion kicks RIcci off and gets to his feet.
RIcci is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salvacion shoots for a double leg takedown but RIcci sprawls well. He's pushed Salvacion's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Salvacion misses with a takedown attempt - RIcci sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A head kick by Salvacion misses
and RIcci counters with a stiff right hand.
Salvacion shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with RIcci but RIcci pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mike RIcci has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emong Salvacion.
Salvacion fails with a takedown attempt.
RIcci throws a series of punches but Salvacion avoids them all with ease.
Good standup being displayed there by RIcci as he connects with a hook.
RIcci jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
The fighters circling - RIcci throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salvacion tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but RIcci swivels and escapes.
No luck for Salvacion with that takedown attempt.
RIcci throws a series of strikes that have Salvacion backpedaling.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
RIcci misses the jab.
Salvacion with a poor takedown
letting RIcci counter with a right hand.
Salvacion uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from RIcci.

Salvacion gets a double leg takedown into RIcci's guard.
RIcci keeping full guard, as Salvacion tries to pass.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
RIcci lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Salvacion!
Emong Salvacion is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Salvacion gets back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Emong Salvacion comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Salvacion winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emong Salvacion!
An out of breath Emong Salvacion thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
The defeated Mike RIcci had this to say: 'He's the better man today... I will be back.'.