PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Salwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Feodor Shemelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shemelianenko is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: 2Pac - I'm A Soldier (Echale Mojo Remix) . Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Salwa
vs
Shemelianenko

184 cm
34
198 lbs
31 - 11 - 0

184 cm
30
202 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Reaper Combatwear
GREEN!160

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
Pearson Specter Litt

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 31 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gabriel Salwa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Feodor Shemelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Paul Tew and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shemelianenko blocks a head kick by Salwa.
Shemelianenko lands with a straight right. Salwa didn't see that one coming.
A head kick misses from Salwa.
Shemelianenko has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Shemelianenko lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Shemelianenko shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Salwa is trying to defend but Shemelianenko finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Salwa tries to roll over but Shemelianenko keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shemelianenko looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salwa tries to get to full guard but Shemelianenko has control of the leg.
Salwa is in trouble now - Shemelianenko has advanced to mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salwa tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Salwa tries to hold on but Shemelianenko postures up.
Salwa is in all sorts of trouble here.
Shemelianenko avoids the attempt from Salwa to control.
Salwa is looking to improve his position but Shemelianenko isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two 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.
Shemelianenko raining down hammerfists from mount.
Shemelianenko controlling the position easily from mount.
Shemelianenko landing shots from mount.
Shemelianenko controlling the position easily from mount.
Salwa is trying desperately to improve position.
Shemelianenko sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Salwa tries to hold on but Shemelianenko pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salwa really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Shemelianenko takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Salwa sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Salwa looks to score with a jab to the body but Shemelianenko is just out of range.
Shemelianenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Salwa.
Shemelianenko checks a leg kick.
Salwa throws a shot from downtown. Shemelianenko moves away and avoids it.

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.
Salwa walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Shemelianenko wants to clinch up but Salwa keeps it at a distance.
Salwa looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Shemelianenko missing with a left hand there. Salwa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Salwa lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Shemelianenko misses with an uppercut
and Salwa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Feodor Shemelianenko has been cut.
Salwa throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Salwa throws an overhand right that lands on Shemelianenko's shoulder, as Shemelianenko tries to avoid the shot.
Shemelianenko dives in for a single leg takedown but Salwa sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Salwa throws a head kick but Shemelianenko moves out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Salwa sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shemelianenko somewhat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shemelianenko falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Salwa counter with a right hand.
Salwa wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Feodor Shemelianenko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Feodor Shemelianenko's cut.
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.

Shemelianenko lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Gabriel Salwa is winning the standup battle so far.
Shemelianenko tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Shemelianenko delivers a nice body kick.
Shemelianenko cracks Salwa with a right hand to the side of the head.
Shemelianenko throws a half hearted mid kick.
Salwa lands a jab.
Shemelianenko is looking to clinch.
Shemelianenko lands a jab to Salwa's midsection.
Salwa throws a right hand that misses
and Shemelianenko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Shemelianenko blocks a head kick by Salwa.
Salwa wants to slow Shemelianenko down by chopping away at his legs.
Salwa digs a good hook to Shemelianenko's body.
Shemelianenko moves out of range of the body kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shemelianenko throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Crunch! Shemelianenko slams his shin into Salwa's torso.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shemelianenko misses with a jab, cross combination.
A swing and a miss from Salwa.
A nice side step and Shemelianenko releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Salwa throws out a leg kick but Shemelianenko moves out of range and Salwa only half commits.
Gabriel Salwa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shemelianenko checks a leg kick.
Shemelianenko feints the counter takedown.
Shemelianenko cracks Salwa with a right hand to the side of the head.
Some wild striking there from Salwa.
Salwa connects with a leg kick. Shemelianenko looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Shemelianenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Salwa was well out of range. Poor timing from Shemelianenko.
As Shemelianenko backs away, Salwa returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Salwa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shemelianenko.
Salwa jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Salwa turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Salwa misses with a hook. Shemelianenko ducked under it nicely.
A big left from Salwa misses.
Shemelianenko moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Shemelianenko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shemelianenko moves away from the strike by Salwa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salwa has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shemelianenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Salwa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shemelianenko tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Shemelianenko shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Salwa defends it nicely.
Shemelianenko wants to clinch.
Salwa connects with a body shot that sends Shemelianenko's belly button to the back.
Salwa throws a jab but it's blocked by Shemelianenko.
Salwa 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.
Shemelianenko displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Shemelianenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Salwa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Shemelianenko checks a leg kick.
Salwa lands a nice leg kick that just misses Shemelianenko's sensitive parts.
Shemelianenko takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've been told by Salwa's head coaches at Datsik's Dojo that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A head kick misses from Salwa.

Shemelianenko forces Salwa back against the cage and clinches.
Salwa lands a hook that snaps the head of Shemelianenko backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shemelianenko.
Salwa has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Shemelianenko misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shemelianenko blocking some punches.
Salwa controlling the action here for a moment.
Salwa prevents a body shot from Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko digs a right hand underneath Salwa's ribcage. Salwa let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Salwa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Salwa lands a left hand that snaps the head of Shemelianenko backwards.
A short left from Salwa.
Salwa makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Salwa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Salwa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shemelianenko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Salwa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shemelianenko.
Salwa stuns Shemelianenko with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Shemelianenko throws an overhand right that lands on Salwa's shoulder, as Salwa tries to avoid the shot.
A nice leg kick lands there from Salwa.
Salwa lands a leg kick that knocks Shemelianenko off balance momentarily.
Shemelianenko keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Salwa takes a swing at Shemelianenko's ribcage but misses.
Salwa throws a head kick that misses.
Shemelianenko tries to close the distance and clinch but Salwa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shemelianenko tries to bum rush Salwa with a series of wild strikes but Salwa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Salwa connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Shemelianenko momentarily.
A slapping body kick lands there for Shemelianenko.

Shemelianenko moves into the clinch.
Salwa tries a body shot but Shemelianenko blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Gabriel Salwa will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Feodor Shemelianenko's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Shemelianenko clinches up against the cage.
Shemelianenko is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Salwa is keeping busy.
Salwa lands a left hand.

Salwa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shemelianenko throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Shemelianenko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Salwa connects with a nice looking jab.
Salwa throws a head kick that misses.
Feodor Shemelianenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Shemelianenko drives through with a takedown into guard.
Shemelianenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Salwa is keeping the position for now.
Salwa wants to sweep but no luck.
Salwa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shemelianenko is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Salwa is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Salwa can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Shemelianenko controls the pace.
Shemelianenko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Salwa swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Salwa tries a head kick but it misses.
Salwa tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Shemelianenko is able to avoid easily.
Shemelianenko takes one on the button.
Shemelianenko swings for the body but Salwa moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salwa lunges at Shemelianenko with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Shemelianenko's hand.
Salwa fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A combination from Shemelianenko does no damage.
Salwa tries a low kick but Shemelianenko avoids it.
Salwa swings for the body but Shemelianenko moves out of range.
Salwa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Salwa scores with a nice strike.

That has opened up Feodor Shemelianenko's cut even more.
Salwa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Salwa just misses with a punch to the body.
Salwa works Shemelianenko's body with a nice hook.
Shemelianenko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Salwa.
Shemelianenko unleashes a big counter combination but Salwa bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shemelianenko misses with a two punch combination.
Salwa throws a low kick but it's checked well by Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Salwa.
Salwa looks to score with a jab to the body but Shemelianenko is just out of range.
Shemelianenko tries to clinch but Salwa is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salwa cracks a nice hook into Shemelianenko's ribs.
Salwa tries to clinch but Shemelianenko is having none of it.

Salwa pushes Shemelianenko up against the cage in a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Salwa cracks Shemelianenko with a nice body shot.
A short right from Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko lands a body punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shemelianenko misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shemelianenko tries to work over Salwa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shemelianenko throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Salwas head.
Shemelianenko lands a shoulder strike.

Salwa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice body kick from Salwa.
Shemelianenko lands with a thumping leg kick.
Salwa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Shemelianenko throws a body punch but Salwa moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Salwa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shemelianenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Crunch! Salwa slams his shin into Shemelianenko's torso.
Salwa 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.
Salwa throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

Salwa tries to keep at a distance but Shemelianenko has taken the fight into the clinch.
Shemelianenko blocks an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shemelianenko.
Salwa lands a hook that snaps the head of Shemelianenko backwards.
Shemelianenko blocking some punches.
Salwa tries to throw a body punch but Shemelianenko avoids it by throwing Salwa back against the cage.
Shemelianenko can't find room to land a body shot as Salwa controls the action.
Salwa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shemelianenko tries to break free but Salwa pushes him back against the cage.
Shemelianenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

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 Gabriel Salwa.
I think Salwa has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Gabriel Salwa!
Gabriel Salwa gave a mention to Reaper Combatwear in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).