PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jesus Salazar (ranked 2867 p4p, 334 weight class) and Susano Mikoto (ranked 5122 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Salazar
vs
Mikoto

180 cm
24
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

Distinct Label
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jesus Salazar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Susano Mikoto!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Kenichi Hosakawa and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mikoto clinches.
Salazar stalling in the clinch but Mikoto improves position.
Mikoto is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Salazar pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Mikoto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mikoto will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Salazar tries to clinch but Mikoto is having none of it.
Salazar tries to clinch but Mikoto is having none of it.
Mikoto keeps the fight on the outside.
Salazar tries to clinch up.

Salazar gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Mikoto breaks the clinch.
Salazar stuffs the takedown.
Jesus Salazar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Susano Mikoto.
Salazar wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salazar moves in looking to clinch but Mikoto pushes him off.
Salazar wants to clinch but Mikoto slips to the side
and Mikoto counters with a straight right hand.
Salazar tries to clinch up but Mikoto circles away and keeps his distance.
Salazar tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mikoto swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salazar throws an off balance right hand

and Mikoto counters by clinching up.
Salazar tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Mikoto manages to pull guard.
Salazar makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Salazar keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mikoto's head.
Salazar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Salazar makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Salazar throws a big elbow that misses.
Salazar being controlled here momentarily.
Salazar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mikoto wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Salazar throws a big elbow that misses.
Salazar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salazar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Salazar won't allow Mikoto to sweep him here.
Salazar looking to pass the guard.
Mikoto preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Mikoto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Mikoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mikoto preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mikoto has momentary wrist control but Salazar slips an elbow through the middle.
Mikoto really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Salazar. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Salazar landing with the ground and pound.
Mikoto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mikoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salazar throws a big elbow that misses.
Salazar won't allow Mikoto to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salazar is looking to work some ground and pound but Mikoto has wrist control.
Salazar 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.
Salazar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mikoto pulls Salazar in to control the position.
Mikoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Salazar working some strikes from top position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mikoto can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mikoto seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Salazar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Salazar throwing strikes from guard but Mikoto blocks nicely.
Mikoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Salazar trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mikoto is pulling down on Salazar's head. It's preventing any offense from Salazar, at least for the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Salazar throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Salazar misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mikoto feints the counter takedown.
Mikoto is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Salazar.
Salazar throws a right and a left that Mikoto avoids nicely.
Mikoto darts in looking for a takedown but Salazar gets double underhooks and turns Mikoto into the cage.
Salazar swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mikoto shoots in but no luck this time.
Salazar appears to be looking for a big counter.
Salazar tries to close the distance and clinch but Mikoto swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mikoto tries to counter by closing the distance.
Salazar tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Mikoto counters with a right hand to the body.
Salazar is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Salazar blocks a head kick by Mikoto.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Salazar wants to clinch.
Mikoto avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mikoto circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mikoto closes this distance looking for a takedown but Salazar circles away.
Salazar is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mikoto can do to turn this around?
Salazar is looking to clinch but Mikoto is avoiding it.
Mikoto fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Salazar fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mikoto wants to counter the offense by Salazar and move into the clinch position.

Mikoto drives through and clinches with Salazar against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salazar looking to slow down the pace here.
Mikoto gets underhooks to prevent Salazar's takedown attempt.
Mikoto scores with a hook to the body.
Salazar misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mikoto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salazar creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Mikoto has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Salazar is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Jesus Salazar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Susano Mikoto.
Mikoto changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Salazar fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Salazar fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mikoto darts in looking for a takedown but Salazar gets double underhooks and turns Mikoto into the cage.
Jesus Salazar is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Mikoto moves into the clinch.
Salazar has had enough of the clinch but Mikoto keeps him there for the moment.
Mikoto is stalling here.

Mikoto breaks the clinch.

Mikoto gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Salazar lands a knee to the head.
Salazar stalling in the clinch but Mikoto improves position.
Mikoto has Salazar pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Salazar manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Mikoto is struggling to control the position.
Salazar has Mikoto pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mikoto manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikoto holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Mikoto blocks an uppercut.
Mikoto is trying to pull guard but Salazar has him pressed against the cage.
Salazar looking for a takedown.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Salazar just misses with a elbow thrown towards Mikoto's brow.
Mikoto pushes Salazar back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Salazar creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Salazar using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mikoto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Salazar misses with a punch on the inside.
Mikoto jumps guard but Salazar stands there with Mikoto around his waist. Mikoto gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Salazar is trying to push Mikoto away but Mikoto has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Mikoto is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Salazar is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salazar changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mikoto fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A combination from Salazar does no damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Salazar fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mikoto lands a nice hook to Salazar's body. Salazar takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Jesus Salazar is winning the standup battle so far.

Mikoto moves into the clinch successfully.

Mikoto ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mikoto no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Salazar postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mikoto throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Mikoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Salazar is looking to work some ground and pound but Mikoto has wrist control.
Salazar preventing the sweep.

Mikoto working for a triangle but Salazar defends it easily.
Mikoto trying to keep a closed guard but Salazar is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikoto is pulling down on Salazar's head to control his posture.
Salazar keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mikoto's head.
Salazar works over Mikoto with some ground and pound from guard.
Mikoto working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Salazar.
Mikoto wants to stand and escape but Salazar is having none of it.
Salazar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mikoto works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Salazar won't allow Mikoto to sweep him here.
Salazar landing with the ground and pound.
Mikoto wants to stand but Salazar is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Susano Mikoto will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Salazar is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Salazar tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Mikoto manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Salazar throws a left and a right that both miss
and Mikoto counters with a straight right hand.
Salazar is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mikoto throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Salazar on the side of the head.
Salazar misses with a double jab
and Mikoto counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mikoto avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mikoto shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Salazar but Salazar pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Mikoto rushes Salazar and presses him up against the cage.
Mikoto jumps guard but Salazar stands there with Mikoto around his waist. Mikoto gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salazar misses with a knee strike.
Mikoto has Salazar pressed against the cage, preventing Salazar from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Salazar is looking for a takedown.
Salazar is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Jesus Salazar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Susano Mikoto.
Salazar misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Salazar fails to land.

Mikoto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Salazar lands a head kick!
Mikoto tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Salazar defends well and Mikoto ends up having to push Salazar into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Salazar misses with an attempted mid kick.

Mikoto instigates a clinch.
Salazar with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Salazar breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Salazar darts in trying to clinch
and Mikoto counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mikoto closes the distance and clinches.
Salazar throws a knee to the head but misses.

Mikoto is trying to trip Salazar. He has hold of a leg but Salazar is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Mikoto persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Salazar keeping full guard, as Mikoto tries to pass.
Mikoto must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Salazar wants to get back to his feet but Mikoto is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Salazar is trying to keep Mikoto in close.
Salazar lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Salazar throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salazar working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mikoto has his hands on Salazar's head, controlling the position.
Salazar is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Salazar accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Salazar accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mikoto is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Salazar is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Salazar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Salazar postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mikoto wants to stand up but Salazar is controlling him.
Salazar throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikoto is looking to stand up but Salazar isn't so interested in that idea.
Mikoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Mikoto working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Salazar.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mikoto is defended easily by Salazar.
Mikoto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Salazar circles away quickly and effectively.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Salazar throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Salazar falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mikoto counters with a two punch combo.
Mikoto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Susano Mikoto.
I think Mikoto 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Susano Mikoto!
After the big win, Susano Mikoto made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Distinct Label and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.