PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Francis Mercier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aki Salo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aki Salo will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Mercier
vs
Salo

174 cm
24
212 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Francis Mercier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aki Salo!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mercier closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Salo quickly recovers to half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Mercier frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Mercier fails to advance to Salo's back.

Mercier is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Salo is surviving well by controlling Mercier's body position as best he can.
Mercier tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Mercier takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Mercier has good solid back control here.

Mercier looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Salo taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Francis Mercier!
Our winner, Francis Mercier, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.