PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Koko Bang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juhani Aro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Bang
vs
Aro

165 cm
19
135 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

176 cm
18
143 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Koko Bang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juhani Aro!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aro shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Bang is trying to control but can't.
Aro is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Bang looks like he's trying to stand up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bang is looking for a sweep. Aro is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bang punching from the bottom.
Bang has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Aro is working away from the top position though.
Aro has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Bang works to full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Aro tries to clinch but Bang moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bang closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aro circles away.
Bang throws a combination. Aro tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Bang misses the shot to the body.
Bang looks to clinch

and Aro counters with a shoot takedown. Bang fights it but they end up in guard.
Aro wants to pass the guard but Bang is keeping the position.
Bang is trying to keep Aro in close.
Bang has his hands on Aro's head, controlling the position.
Bang will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Bang might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bang manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Bang avoids the attempt from Aro to control.
Aro looks gassed!
Aro is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bang working for a guillotine from mount but Aro is in no mood to give up.
Bang lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Bang throws some wild stikes that Aro manages to avoid easily.
Aro can't escape the position.
Bang looking to control but Aro is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bang is really struggling to control Aro but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Bang landing strikes from the mount.
Aro bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Bang working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Aro doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Aro manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Aro cracks Bang with a solid left hand.
Aro really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bang. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Aro is stalling in the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juhani Aro dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bang with a lazy takedown attempt

and Aro counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Aro.
Aro tries to free his leg and advance position but Bang is retaining full guard.

Bang working for a triangle but Aro defends it easily.
Bang wants to sweep here but Aro controlling him for the moment.
Aro is stalling in the full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bang wants to stand up but Aro is controlling him.
Aro is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

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.
Bang controls Aro momentarily but Aro frees himself.
Aro's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Bang looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aro is one step ahead there.
Bang controls Aro momentarily but Aro frees himself.
Aro's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Bang is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aro slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Bang is trying to keep Aro in close.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Aro accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Aro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bang is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Bang working for a triangle but Aro defends it easily.
Aro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Bang gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Aro to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Aro throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juhani Aro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Bang has his takedown stuffed

and Aro counters with a single leg into guard. Bang didn't expect that.
Aro slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Bang keeping moving, preventing Aro from controlling successfully.
Aro wants to pass the guard but Bang is keeping the position.
Aro must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Bang is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Aro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bang is keeping the position for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aro prevents Bang from getting back to his feet.
Bang keeping moving, preventing Aro from controlling successfully.
Bang looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bang tries to clinch but Aro moves out of range.
Bang misses with a takedown attempt

and Aro counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Bang throws a punch but it's blocked by Aro.
Aro tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Aro keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bang's efforts to push away.
Bang is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Aro avoiding damage.
Bang lands a left hand that snaps the head of Aro backwards.
Aro pushes Bang back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Bang pulls guard effortlessly.
Aro postures up.
Bang is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Aro is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Aro content to stall in guard here.
Aro passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aro moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Aro working away.
Aro scoring with punches and elbows.
Aro working away.
Bang looks to move to half guard but instead Aro has passed into mount! Damn!

That's four 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.
Aro controlling the pace for now.
Aro unloading with bombs!
Aro controlling the position easily from mount.
Bang is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Koko Bang has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Juhani Aro is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aro controlling the position easily from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juhani Aro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Aro winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juhani Aro!