PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ari Aitola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Slim Calhoun (ranked 0 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.

Aitola
vs
Calhoun

225 cm
22
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

啓発 Shaolin Clothing
Beast Body

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ari Aitola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Slim Calhoun!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Calhoun or perhaps it was just good defense by Aitola which made him look bad.
Calhoun is looking to clinch but Aitola is avoiding it.

Calhoun throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Aitola was covering up waiting for the punch and Calhoun finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Calhoun has gone for a leg lock! Aitola slips out almost immediately though and dives into Calhoun's guard.
Aitola trying to control the position from guard on top but Calhoun is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Calhoun tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Aitola works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Calhoun pushes Aitola off looking to stand but Aitola dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aitola is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Calhoun is just riding it out for now. Aitola eventually gives up the hold.

Aitola wants to work for an arm triangle but Calhoun is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Calhoun is trying to control but can't.
Calhoun tries to roll over but Aitola keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Calhoun is staying active underneath Aitola, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Calhoun really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Aitola. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Calhoun tries to kick Aitola off but Aitola keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Aitola forces Calhoun back against the cage and clinches.
Aitola is working for takedown but Calhoun is calmly controlling the position for now.
Aitola really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Aitola is breathing heavily.
Aitola tries to pull guard but Calhoun won't allow it.

Aitola pulls guard effortlessly.
Aitola looking for a sweep. Not yet Aitola, not yet.
Calhoun is looking to work some ground and pound but Aitola has wrist control.
Aitola wants to control but Calhoun passes easily into half guard.
Calhoun is looking to take a break and control but Aitola is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Calhoun thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Aitola avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Calhoun.
Calhoun takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Aitola is staying active underneath Calhoun, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Aitola, right into the meat.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Calhoun.
Calhoun tries to advance to mount but can't.
Aitola wants to control but Calhoun postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee asks Calhoun politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Calhoun prefers to stall for the moment though.
You can see the frustration on Aitola's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Aitola tries to bench press Calhoun off him but Calhoun keeps the position.
Calhoun trying to control the position but Aitola is working away.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Aitola throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Slim Calhoun dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Calhoun throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Aitola was covering up waiting for the punch and Calhoun finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Calhoun seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Aitola is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Calhoun throwing strikes from guard but Aitola blocks nicely.
Calhoun throws a strike but Aitola rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Calhoun is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Aitola defends well.
Calhoun trying to keep a closed guard but Aitola is proving a slippery customer.
Aitola postures up in Calhoun's guard and throws a big left but Calhoun blocks it.
Aitola with a nice head shot there.

That's two 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.
Calhoun tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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

so Calhoun counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Aitola is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Aitola is looking to stand up but Calhoun isn't so interested in that idea.
Aitola working a defensive guard here.
Aitola utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Calhoun content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Calhoun lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Calhoun preventing the sweep.
Calhoun trying to control the position from guard on top but Aitola is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Calhoun fails with the takedown.
Aitola misses with a takedown

and Calhoun counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Calhoun wanted to stand there but Aitola had control of the position.
Calhoun trying to control the position from guard on top but Aitola is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calhoun is looking to advance position but Aitola has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Aitola tries to control but Calhoun wriggling away.
Calhoun wants to hold on but Aitola pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Slim Calhoun showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Aitola gets caught flat footed, as Calhoun shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Aitola has his foot on Calhoun's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Calhoun works his way back into a safe position though.
Calhoun wants to control from the top but Aitola keeps moving.
Aitola is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Calhoun landing with the ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aitola looking for a sweep. Not yet Aitola, not yet.
Aitola will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Aitola is looking for a triangle here but Calhoun uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Calhoun wants to control but Aitola is keeping him busy.
Aitola tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Calhoun throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Aitola wants to control but Calhoun postures up.
Aitola tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Calhoun wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nice takedown defense from Aitola. No joy for Calhoun on that attempt.
Ari Aitola is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Aitola keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Calhoun tries to score a power double leg takedown but Aitola sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Calhoun somewhat.
Ari Aitola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Slim Calhoun.
Aitola with a lazy takedown attempt

and Calhoun counters with a single leg into guard. Aitola didn't expect that.
Aitola keeping moving, preventing Calhoun from controlling successfully.
Calhoun looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Calhoun trying to control the position from guard on top but Aitola is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Aitola is working an open guard so Calhoun takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Aitola gets caught flat footed, as Calhoun shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Calhoun trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Aitola is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Calhoun avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calhoun looking to sit in guard and control but Aitola gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Aitola controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Aitola wants to control from the top but Calhoun keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Slim Calhoun comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Calhoun 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Slim Calhoun!