PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Janne Salamirinta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harry Callahan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Salamirinta comes to the cage accompanied by vulgar thrash. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Salamirinta
vs
Callahan

190 cm
22
191 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Janne Salamirinta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Harry Callahan!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salamirinta tries to clinch up.
Callahan looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Salamirinta tries for a takedown but Callahan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Callahan misses with a double jab.
Salamirinta fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Callahan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Salamirinta tries to clinch up.
Salamirinta shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Callahan as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Janne Salamirinta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A combination from Callahan does no damage.
Salamirinta misses with a takedown attempt - Callahan sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Callahan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Salamirinta was well out of range. Poor timing from Callahan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salamirinta fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Salamirinta tries to close the distance and clinch but Callahan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Salamirinta shoots for a takedown but Callahan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salamirinta shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Salamirinta scores with a jab. Callahan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
No luck for Salamirinta with that takedown attempt.
Callahan connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Callahan looks to land a combination but Salamirinta avoids it well.
Salamirinta throws a right and a left that both miss.

Salamirinta 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.

Callahan is looking for a triangle but Salamirinta pushes his legs off easily.
Callahan wants to get back to his feet but Salamirinta is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Salamirinta looking to pass the guard.
Callahan keeping moving, preventing Salamirinta from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Callahan had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Salamirinta is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Callahan Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Salamirinta's back instead.
Callahan controls the action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Callahan not allowing Salamirinta to control his hands.

Callahan working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Salamirinta tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Callahan wants to get back to his feet but Salamirinta is holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Callahan stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Harry Callahan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Salamirinta shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Callahan pinned against the cage. Callahan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Salamirinta throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Callahan's waist but Callahan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Salamirinta off to one side.
Callahan connects with a looping right hand.
Salamirinta looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Callahan is fending him off so far but Salamirinta persists. Nope, Callahan circles away and we're back to standing.
Callahan falls off balance throwing a combination
and Salamirinta counters with a series of strikes. Callahan will be more careful next time no doubt.
Salamirinta is looking to clinch.
Salamirinta scores with a three punch combo!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salamirinta walks into a left hand.
Nice sprawl there from Callahan as Salamirinta shoots in.
Salamirinta shoots in and drives through. Callahan sprawls well.
Callahan looks to score with a jab to the body but Salamirinta is just out of range.
Callahan throws a series of punches but Salamirinta moves out of range.
Callahan throws a combination that misses

and Salamirinta counters with a takedown into side control.
Callahan is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Salamirinta in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Callahan is trying to buck Salamirinta off.

Salamirinta stands up and beckons Callahan to his feet.
Callahan lands a jab-cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Janne Salamirinta dominated that round.
That's time! Salamirinta's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Callahan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Salamirinta moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Salamirinta looks for a takedown but Callahan sprawls well.
Salamirinta misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Harry Callahan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Callahan falls off balance throwing a combination
and Salamirinta counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Callahan thinking.
Salamirinta changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Callahan tries to avoid it but Salamirinta manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Callahan to the ground. Callahan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Janne Salamirinta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Callahan closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Horrible takedown by Salamirinta or perhaps it was just good defense by Callahan which made him look bad.
Salamirinta is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Callahan lands a with a good body shot.
Callahan throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Salamirinta counters with a three punch combo that has Callahan backing up. Callahan nods at Salamirinta to acknowledge the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Callahan closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Callahan swats away the attempt to clinch by Salamirinta.
Callahan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Salamirinta fails with the takedown.
Callahan goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Callahan misses with a double jab

and Salamirinta counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Callahan's guard now.

Callahan kicks Salamirinta off and gets to his feet.
Callahan lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Callahan falls off balance throwing a combination

and Salamirinta counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Callahan is staying active underneath Salamirinta, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Callahan looks like he's trying to stand up.

Salamirinta is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Callahan is looking to improve his position.
Callahan moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Callahan really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Salamirinta. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Salamirinta tries to stand but Callahan is controlling from the bottom.
Callahan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Salamirinta fails in his attempt to clinch.
Salamirinta tries to close the distance and clinch up but Callahan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Callahan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Callahan lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Callahan.
Callahan throws a left and a right that both miss

and Salamirinta holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Callahan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Callahan jabs at Salamirinta's body.
Salamirinta lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Salamirinta avoids a punch combination nicely.
Callahan misses with a combination
and Salamirinta counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Salamirinta fails with the takedown.
Callahan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Callahan misses with a double jab.
Salamirinta fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Salamirinta shoots in but Callahan avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Salamirinta shoots in but Callahan avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Salamirinta shoots for a takedown but Callahan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Salamirinta showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Callahan.
Callahan looks to land a combination but Salamirinta avoids it well.
Callahan throws a combination that misses

and Salamirinta counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Janne Salamirinta overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Callahan tries to kick Salamirinta off but Salamirinta keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Callahan makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Janne Salamirinta dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Salamirinta closes this distance looking for a takedown but Callahan circles away.
Callahan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Salamirinta counters by clinching up.
Callahan gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Salamirinta.
Salamirinta tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Janne Salamirinta. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Callahan breaks the clinch.

Salamirinta decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Callahan wants to stand back up but Salamirinta manages to pass into side control.
Callahan tries to improve position but can't.
Salamirinta prevents Callahan from escaping the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Salamirinta looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Callahan is avoiding damage well.
Callahan tries to buck Salamirinta off but Salamirinta is having none of it.

Salamirinta stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Callahan as he connects with a hook.
Callahan missing with a left hand there. Salamirinta was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Salamirinta looks to land a combination but Callahan avoids it well.
Salamirinta fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Callahan fails to land with a series of punches.
Callahan throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Salamirinta counters with a one-two to the body.
Salamirinta shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Callahan pinned against the cage. Callahan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Salamirinta dodges the punch combination from Callahan.
Janne Salamirinta is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Salamirinta looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Callahan is fending him off so far but Salamirinta persists. Nope, Callahan circles away and we're back to standing.
Callahan throws a combination that misses
and Salamirinta counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Salamirinta on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Callahan throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Salamirinta counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Salamirinta trying to control but Callahan is working from the bottom.
Salamirinta is stalling in the full guard.

Callahan uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Callahan throws a combination that misses

and Salamirinta decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Callahan's guard.
Callahan is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Salamirinta is controlling him.
Salamirinta is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salamirinta trying to control the position from guard on top but Callahan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Callahan is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Salamirinta is controlling him.
Callahan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Salamirinta controlling from the top position.
Callahan is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Salamirinta stays in close to Callahan's body and controls the position.

That's four 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.

Callahan kicks Salamirinta off and gets to his feet.
Salamirinta shoots in but no luck this time.
Salamirinta swinging wilding here.
Salamirinta shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Callahan throws a right and a left that Salamirinta avoids nicely.
Salamirinta tries for a takedown but Callahan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Callahan slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Callahan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Salamirinta moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Harry Callahan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Callahan stuffs the takedown.
Callahan works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Horrible takedown by Salamirinta or perhaps it was just good defense by Callahan which made him look bad.

And that's the end of the fight!
Janne Salamirinta showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Salamirinta, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Janne Salamirinta!