PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Abel hurricane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerard Salinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Salinger has chosen Cancer Bats - Deathsmarch as his entrance music. Salinger has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Gerard Salinger was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

hurricane
vs
Salinger

185 cm
22
170 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

187 cm
21
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Abel hurricane!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Gerard Salinger!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Donald Grub and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by hurricane.
hurricane misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
hurricane lands with a kick to the ribs.
Salinger looks gassed!
hurricane lands a high kick!

It looks like Gerard Salinger has been cut.
Salinger avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
hurricane lands with a thumping leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
hurricane lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
hurricane turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
hurricane lands a high kick!
hurricane connects with a vicious head kick that knocks Salinger to the floor! hurricane dives in looking for the finish!

Salinger is rocked!
hurricane trying to mount his opponent but Salinger defends it.
Salinger is still in real trouble! Can hurricane finish him?
hurricane wants to control but Salinger is keeping him busy.
Salinger seems to have recovered his senses.
Nice strikes from hurricane there.
hurricane is nestled in close to Salinger, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
hurricane is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
hurricane is nestled in close to Salinger, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
hurricane is trying to control the action in half guard but Salinger is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
hurricane landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

hurricane escapes and gets back to his feet.
hurricane throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

hurricane drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
hurricane is putting a hurting on Salinger here, landing some big shots from side control.
hurricane landing a few strikes.
hurricane cracks Salinger with an elbow. That is naaassty.
hurricane lands an elbow.

hurricane is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Salinger has escaped the position, nice work there.
Salinger is looking to regain half guard here but hurricane keeps moving and retains side control.
Check out the look on hurricane's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Salinger taking punishment in the form of punches.
Salinger is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but hurricane has just dragged him back down to the mat.
hurricane working the head with strikes.
hurricane trying to control the position but Salinger is working away.
Salinger is trying to improve his position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Salinger taking a bit of punishment here - hurricane scoring with strikes.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A nice leg kick lands there from hurricane.
Salinger tries to move into range but hurricane moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
hurricane lands a front kick.
Abel hurricane seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
hurricane moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
hurricane closes this distance looking for a takedown but Salinger circles away.
hurricane throws a head kick but Salinger moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Salinger clinches.
hurricane looking to throw knees to the head but Salinger is blocking nicely.

Salinger pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick from hurricane lands but Salinger takes it in his stride.
hurricane looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
hurricane keeps the fight on the outside.
hurricane buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
hurricane feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Salinger's calf.
Nice body kick there by hurricane.
hurricane connects with a solid leg kick.
hurricane misses with a takedown attempt - Salinger sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abel hurricane. That's going to take a lot out of him.
hurricane misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Salinger darts in and clinches hurricane up against the cage.
hurricane throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Salinger lands a shoulder strike.

Salinger pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
An inside leg kick lands from hurricane.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Salinger crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from hurricane - the referee stops the clock and Salinger gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says hurricane. Salinger manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A nice inside leg kick there by hurricane. That's going to slow Salinger down.
hurricane looks for a takedown but Salinger sprawls well.
hurricane connects with a solid leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
hurricane fails to land the takedown.
hurricane tries for a takedown but Salinger sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A leg kick checked by Salinger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abel hurricane dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gerard Salinger's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Salinger drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Salinger working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
hurricane is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
hurricane trying to control but Salinger postures up.
hurricane is refusing to be controlled, as Salinger sits in half guard.
hurricane landing rabbit punches to the side of Salinger's head. Not doing much damage but still scoring a few points.
hurricane manages to get to full guard.

hurricane has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Salinger can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
hurricane throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Salinger passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Salinger working over hurricane with some ground and pound. hurricane looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
hurricane gets full guard.
Salinger is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Salinger trying to control the position from guard on top but hurricane is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Salinger would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Salinger lands a couple of decent looking shots.
hurricane has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

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.
Salinger has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of hurricane is proving hard to escape from.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now hurricane is on top in guard.
Salinger working a defensive guard here.
Salinger wants to get back to his feet but hurricane is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
hurricane won't allow Salinger to sweep him here.

hurricane drops back looking for a leg! Salinger is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Salinger manages to kick hurricane off! hurricane jumps back into Salinger's guard.
hurricane landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
hurricane postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Salinger is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
hurricane misses with a series of wild punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Salinger looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
hurricane throws a leg kick which misses Salinger's front leg but catches the back leg as Salinger tries to avoid it.
hurricane fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Abel hurricane is winning the standup battle so far.
hurricane scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Salinger takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four 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.
hurricane goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
hurricane dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Salinger. That did some damage!
hurricane is looking to slow Salinger down with leg kicks.
Abel hurricane is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Salinger darts in and clinches hurricane up against the cage.
hurricane tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
hurricane misses with a knee strike.
hurricane misses with a knee to the head.
hurricane looking to throw knees to the head but Salinger is blocking nicely.
hurricane misses with a knee strike.
hurricane is trying to break free.

Salinger breaks the clinch.
A chopping leg kick lands by hurricane.

Salinger shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Salinger showed some decent athleticism there.
hurricane has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Salinger is working away from the top position though.
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 Abel hurricane will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Gerard Salinger's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

hurricane throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Salinger.
A nice inside leg kick there by hurricane. That's going to slow Salinger down.
hurricane feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Salinger's calf.
A nice inside leg kick there by hurricane. That's going to slow Salinger down.
hurricane dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Salinger avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Salinger takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Salinger takes a kick to the side of the head.
hurricane with a poor takedown

and Salinger counters by moving into the clinch.
Salinger keeps control of hurricane as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
hurricane misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Salinger.
hurricane is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Salinger gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
hurricane throws a knee to the head but misses.
Salinger lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salinger blocking some punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Salinger on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Salinger tightens his grip and picks hurricane up, before dumping him to the ground. hurricane manages to land in guard.
Salinger pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. hurricane is keeping the position for now.
hurricane looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Salinger puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Nice strikes from Salinger there.
hurricane makes his way to full guard. A much better position for hurricane.
Salinger lands a couple of elbows.

Salinger stands up from hurricane's guard - Salinger perhaps looking for a knockout.

Salinger clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salinger working some nice short punches in the clinch.
hurricane connects with a knee to the head.
hurricane with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Salinger dodges an elbow strike from hurricane.
Salinger avoids the elbow strike from hurricane, against the cage.
hurricane is trying to maintain a safe position but Salinger gets an underhook and turns hurricane into the cage.
hurricane looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abel hurricane. That's going to take a lot out of him.
hurricane pushes off an throws an elbow but Salinger leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Salinger lands an uppercut.
hurricane goes for a takedown in the clinch but Salinger prevents it.
Salinger blocks an uppercut.

Salinger gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Salinger postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
hurricane wants to sweep here but Salinger controlling him for the moment.
Salinger tries to free his leg and advance position but hurricane is retaining full guard.
Abel hurricane overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
hurricane being controlled here, momentarily.
Salinger is working hurricane over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

hurricane pushes Salinger off and scrambles back to his feet.
hurricane lands a nice looking body kick.
Salinger moves in looking to clinch but hurricane pushes him off.
Salinger takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
hurricane throws a head kick that half lands.

Salinger moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
hurricane with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Salinger's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
hurricane looking to throw knees to the head but Salinger is blocking nicely.
hurricane misses with a knee to the head.
hurricane throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
hurricane jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Salinger walks away with a smile on his face. hurricane gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
hurricane with a lazy takedown attempt

and Salinger counters by moving into the clinch.
hurricane lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
hurricane misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Salinger.
A nice right hand lands inside from Salinger.
hurricane is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Salinger pulls him back up using the underhooks.
hurricane looking to stall.
hurricane pushes off an throws an elbow but Salinger leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
hurricane looking to throw knees to the head but Salinger is blocking nicely.
hurricane using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Salinger has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Salinger really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gerard Salinger's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

hurricane misses with a kick to the body.
Salinger on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by hurricane. hurricane obviously looking to wear him down.
A slapping leg kick lands for hurricane.
Salinger throws a right and a left that hurricane avoids nicely.
hurricane scores with a body shot.
Salinger blocks a head kick by hurricane.
hurricane misses with a takedown attempt

and Salinger counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Salinger is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
hurricane gets full guard.
hurricane is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Salinger preventing the sweep.
Salinger wants to control from the top but hurricane keeps moving.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
hurricane thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salinger trying to control the position from guard on top but hurricane is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Salinger chips away with some ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
hurricane throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Salinger.
hurricane throws a push kick but Salinger slaps the foot to one side.
hurricane tries a head kick but it misses.
Salinger wants to clinch up but hurricane keeps it at a distance.
Salinger wants to clinch.
hurricane misses with a double jab.

Salinger moves into the clinch successfully.
Salinger looking to stall.

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.
Salinger stops a takedown attempt from hurricane.
hurricane throws an elbow that misses.
Salinger lands with a right to the head.
hurricane is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Salinger pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abel hurricane. That's going to take a lot out of him.
hurricane looking to stall.
Salinger avoids a wild elbow strike from hurricane.
hurricane tries to land knees in the clinch but Salinger avoids the damage to the body.

Salinger has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed hurricane clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Salinger trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
hurricane tries to escape but Salinger has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Salinger's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
hurricane looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
hurricane manages to reverse the position and now he's in Salinger's guard. Nice work there by hurricane.
hurricane trying to control the position from guard on top but Salinger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

hurricane thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Salinger is looking for a triangle but hurricane pushes his legs off easily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Salinger takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
hurricane misses with a head kick.
hurricane pulls out of a head kick attempt.
hurricane closes the distance looking to clinch

and Salinger counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
hurricane with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
hurricane tries to land a knee to the head but Salinger blocks with his arms.
Salinger on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Salinger gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Salinger connects with a couple of short punches.
Salinger trying to stand up but can't free himself from hurricane's guard.
Salinger tries to free his leg and advance position but hurricane is retaining full guard.
Salinger slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from hurricane.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Salinger dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Gerard Salinger's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

hurricane throws a body punch but Salinger moves out of range.
hurricane with a lazy takedown attempt

and Salinger counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for hurricane!
hurricane keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Salinger looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Salinger is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Salinger sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Salinger has control of hurricane's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and hurricane regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salinger in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
hurricane throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
hurricane is looking to improve his position but Salinger isn't that keen on the idea.
A nice elbow there by Salinger.
hurricane is working to get back to half guard.
Salinger trying to control but hurricane is having none of it.
hurricane working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
hurricane 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.
hurricane moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Salinger is looking to stand up but hurricane won't let him.
Salinger stopping the sweep attempt from hurricane.
Salinger stands up over hurricane, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
hurricane avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Salinger won't allow hurricane to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salinger landing some decent shots from guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
An inside leg kick lands from hurricane.
Salinger doesn't manage to clinch there - hurricane circles away.
hurricane lands a head kick!
hurricane lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Salinger gets in close and instigates a clinch.
hurricane tries a knee to the head but Salinger blocks it.

Salinger gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
hurricane is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Salinger seems to be working for a kimura but hurricane defends the submission attempt.
Salinger drops an elbow to the side of hurricane's head.
hurricane is pressing down on Salinger's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Salinger is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
hurricane 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.

hurricane working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Salinger doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Salinger manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

hurricane isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Salinger stacks hurricane 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 Salinger!

And that's the end of the fight!
Gerard Salinger comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Salinger has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 47:48
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 47:48
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gerard Salinger!
Gerard Salinger is the new middleweight champion!