PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ming Xin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pentti Hirvonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Xin's entrance music is Ave Maria. A fine choice. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Xin
vs
Hirvonen

180 cm
22
185 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

185 cm
22
196 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Powerful

SPARTAN FIGHTWARE
Cobra Kai Nutrition (NEW 158 OUT)

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 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ming Xin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pentti Hirvonen!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Ivan Kurochkin and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Donk. Hirvonen catches Xin right on the button with a cross.
Nice defenses there by Xin.
Hirvonen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Xin manages to avoid it.
Hirvonen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Xin but Xin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hirvonen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Xin.
Hirvonen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hirvonen takes a swing at Xin's ribcage but misses.
Hirvonen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Xin.
A leg kick checked by Xin.

Xin moves into the clinch.
Xin lands a body shot in the clinch.

Hirvonen pulls guard.
Xin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Xin tries to free his leg and advance position but Hirvonen is retaining full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Xin drops back looking for a leg! Hirvonen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hirvonen manages to kick Xin off! Xin jumps back into Hirvonen's guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirvonen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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

Xin drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Hirvonen manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Xin has Hirvonen in his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hirvonen passes into half guard.
Hirvonen wants to free his trapped foot but Xin is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Hirvonen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hirvonen thows a huge punch but Xin dodges it nicely.
Xin slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Xin controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hirvonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Xin is retaining full guard.
Xin is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Hirvonen connects with a couple of short punches.
Xin manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Xin looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Hirvonen is looking to get to half guard.
Xin fails to move to back control.
Hirvonen is looking to get to half guard.
Hirvonen regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen manages to get to full guard.
Xin trying to control but Hirvonen is working from the bottom.
Hirvonen is trying to control the position but Xin postures up.
Hirvonen has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Hirvonen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Xin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hirvonen is trying to keep Xin in close.
Xin trying to control but Hirvonen is working from the bottom.
Hirvonen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Xin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

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.
Xin looking to pass the guard.
Hirvonen is trying to control the position but Xin postures up.

Xin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Xin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Hirvonen looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Xin has picked Hirvonen up and slammed him! Hirvonen can't keep hold of the triangle and Xin manages to pass to side control!
Hirvonen manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Hirvonen is defending against the submission attempts here by Xin.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hirvonen is not content to let Xin control the position.
Hirvonen gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pentti Hirvonen will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hirvonen just misses with a punch to the body.

Hirvonen gets a takedown into half guard.

Hirvonen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Xin sees it coming and defends easily.
Xin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hirvonen is working away from the top position though.
Xin gets full guard.
Xin trying to control the position.
Xin has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Xin trying to keep a closed guard but Hirvonen is proving a slippery customer.
Hirvonen wants to control from the top but Xin keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirvonen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Xin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Xin controls Hirvonen momentarily but Hirvonen frees himself.
Hirvonen stands up over Xin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hirvonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Xin is retaining full guard.
Hirvonen trying to control but Xin is working from the bottom.
Hirvonen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Xin connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hirvonen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Xin defends it nicely.
Hirvonen is looking to score with low kicks.

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.
Hirvonen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

It looks like Pentti Hirvonen has been cut.
Hirvonen shoots in looking for a takedown. Xin tries to sprawl out of it but Hirvonen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Xin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ming Xin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Xin looks to land a left hand but Hirvonen moved out of range nicely.
Hirvonen misses with a takedown attempt - Xin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ming Xin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pentti Hirvonen.
Hirvonen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Xin checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hirvonen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hirvonen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A shot to the body from Xin misses
and Hirvonen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
An inside leg kick from Hirvonen misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xin throws a series of punches but Hirvonen avoids them all with ease.
Xin throws a body punch but Hirvonen moves out of range.
Xin misses the shot to the body.
A jab from Hirvonen misses.
Xin looks to throw the jab but Hirvonen is out of range.
Hirvonen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hirvonen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Hirvonen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Hirvonen misses with the combination.
Hirvonen misses with a straight left.
Hirvonen throws a low kick but Xin avoids it.

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.
Hirvonen takes a swing at Xin's ribcage but misses.
Hirvonen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Xin shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Xin was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Xin is working for a guillotine from mount but Hirvonen frees his head quite easily.
Hirvonen is in all sorts of trouble here.

Xin moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Hirvonen has worked his arm free - good work by Hirvonen!

Xin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hirvonen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hirvonen tries to bench press Xin off him but Xin keeps the position.

Xin tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Xin working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ming Xin dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Pentti Hirvonen's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Xin tries to bum rush Hirvonen with a series of wild strikes but Hirvonen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hirvonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hirvonen looks to throw the jab but Xin is out of range.
Hirvonen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hirvonen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Xin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Xin tests Hirvonen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hirvonen misses with a body shot
and Xin counters with a nice uppercut.
A right-left combo lands from Xin.
Xin displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Hirvonen feints and as Xin raises his hands in defense, Hirvonen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Xin controlling Hirvonen's posture.
Hirvonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Xin is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xin pulls Hirvonen in close to prevent any damage.
Hirvonen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hirvonen throwing strikes from guard but Xin blocks nicely.
Xin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hirvonen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Xin is adopting a defensive guard.
Xin keeping full guard, as Hirvonen tries to pass.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hirvonen avoids a punch combination nicely.
A jab lands there for Hirvonen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Hirvonen shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Xin is trying to defend but Hirvonen finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Xin works his way to full guard. Good work.
Xin manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Hirvonen is controlling an arm, preventing Xin from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Hirvonen gets back to half guard.
Xin wants to take a breather but Hirvonen is having none of it.
Hirvonen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hirvonen.
Xin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hirvonen is keeping the position for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hirvonen is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen thows a big elbow that misses.
Hirvonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Xin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hirvonen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hirvonen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Xin is trying to keep Hirvonen in close.
Hirvonen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hirvonen wants to control from the top but Xin keeps moving.
Xin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Xin throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Hirvonen was covering up waiting for the punch and Xin finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Hirvonen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xin advances to half guard.
Hirvonen wants to get back to full guard.
Hirvonen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Xin is working away from the top position though.
Hirvonen wants to control the action here but instead Xin manages to pass to full mount!

Xin has control of Hirvonen's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Hirvonen regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Hirvonen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Xin jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Hirvonen is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Hirvonen and Xin has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ming Xin clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Pentti Hirvonen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A big right from Xin misses.
Hirvonen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Xin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Xin blocks a low kick nicely.
Xin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hirvonen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hirvonen connects with a single shot there.
Xin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hirvonen throws a leg kick

and Xin counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Xin trying to control the position from guard on top but Hirvonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hirvonen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Xin!
Hirvonen putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xin avoids a series of strikes thrown by Hirvonen.
Hirvonen working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Xin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hirvonen looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Hirvonen landing strikes from the mount and Xin is in trouble!
Xin tries to reverse the position but Hirvonen maintains control.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hirvonen cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Hirvonen is working for a guillotine from mount but Xin frees his head quite easily.
Xin wants to hold on but Hirvonen pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen looking to control but Xin is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Hirvonen dominating with strikes here.
Xin wants to hold on but Hirvonen pushes him away.
Xin slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Hirvonen passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Xin!
Xin is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hirvonen with shots to the head and body - Xin looks very uncomfortable down there.
Hirvonen unloading with bombs!
Hirvonen lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Xin hang on?
Xin is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Hirvonen unloads with some shots from mount but Xin bucks and avoids them well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xin is looking to improve his position but Hirvonen isn't that keen on the idea.
Xin holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Hirvonen tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Xin wants to hold on but Hirvonen pushes him away.
BOOM! Hirvonen connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Hirvonen with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Xin can't escape the position.
Xin tries to hold on but Hirvonen pushes him away.
Hirvonen unloading with bombs!
Hirvonen working the ground and pound effectively.
Hirvonen lands a big shot there that rocks Xin but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Xin is in all sorts of trouble here.

Hirvonen wants to finish this one by submission but Xin is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Hirvonen.
Xin bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Xin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hirvonen looking to control.

Xin drops back looking for a leg! Hirvonen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hirvonen manages to kick Xin off! Xin jumps back into Hirvonen's guard.
Hirvonen pulls Xin in to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pentti Hirvonen dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Pentti Hirvonen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Hirvonen looks to score with a jab to the body but Xin is just out of range.
Xin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hirvonen.
Hirvonen looks to land a left hand but Xin moved out of range nicely.
Hirvonen tries a low kick but Xin avoids it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Xin.
Hirvonen gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Hirvonen is trying to maintain the position but Xin is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hirvonen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hirvonen is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Hirvonen looking for a guillotine here but Xin defends easily.
Xin won't allow Hirvonen to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirvonen is trying to control the position but Xin postures up.
Xin trying to control but Hirvonen is working from the bottom.

Hirvonen looking for a guillotine here but Xin defends easily.
Xin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hirvonen is keeping the position for now.
Xin pushing down on Hirvonen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Xin is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Hirvonen!
Hirvonen wants to hold on but Xin pushes him away.

Xin with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Hirvonen can't escape the position.

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.
Hirvonen tries to lock up and control but Xin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Xin is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Hirvonen has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Hirvonen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Xin is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Hirvonen is surviving well by controlling Xin's body position as best he can.
Hirvonen manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Hirvonen is looking to improve his position.
Hirvonen is refusing to be controlled, as Xin sits in half guard.

Xin is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hirvonen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Xin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen gets back to full guard.
Hirvonen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Xin!

Hirvonen swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Xin is now in Hirvonen's guard. A big mistake from Hirvonen there, giving up the dominant position!
Hirvonen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Xin works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Xin is keeping the position for now.
Xin controls Hirvonen momentarily but Hirvonen frees himself.
Hirvonen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Xin trying to control the position.
Hirvonen throwing strikes but missing.
Hirvonen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hirvonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Xin is retaining full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Xin stuffs the takedown attempt from Hirvonen. Hirvonen gets slowly back to his feet.
Xin has his takedown stuffed
enabling Hirvonen to counter with a crisp jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ming Xin.
I think Xin has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 48:47
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ming Xin!
Ming Xin retains his middleweight title!