PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James Ardonia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Ahtopaine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these fighters had to take extra time to make weight as they missed the initial 145lb limit. James Ardonia came in at 146.5 and Igor Ahtopaine came in at 146.3 but after the extra two hours, both guys managed to get within the one pound allowance. No doubt it will have affected them physically though, so let's see if that has an impact on the fight. 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?

Ardonia
vs
Ahtopaine

170 cm
22
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Ardonia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Igor Ahtopaine!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ahtopaine bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ardonia is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Ardonia tries to improve position but can't.
Ahtopaine working the ground and pound from side control.
Ardonia is looking to regain half guard here but Ahtopaine keeps moving and retains side control.
Ardonia takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Ardonia is not content to let Ahtopaine control the position.

Ahtopaine stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Ahtopaine keeps the fight on the outside.
Ahtopaine tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ardonia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ahtopaine wants to clinch but Ardonia slips to the side
and Ardonia counters with a head kick.
James Ardonia is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahtopaine keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ardonia.
Ardonia tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Ahtopaine counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Ahtopaine decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Ardonia feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ahtopaine's calf.
Ardonia looks to clinch

and Ahtopaine counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Ardonia works his way to full guard. Good work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Ardonia has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ahtopaine can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ardonia is breathing heavily.

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

Ardonia looking for a guillotine here but Ahtopaine defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahtopaine passes Ardonia's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ahtopaine is looking to take a break and control but Ardonia is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Ardonia looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ahtopaine is trying to work for a kimura but Ardonia is defending well.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ahtopaine in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ardonia is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ahtopaine looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Ahtopaine is looking for a kimura but Ardonia is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ahtopaine to get the leverage.
Ardonia is trying to stand back up but Ahtopaine is controlling him
Ahtopaine is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Ardonia manages to get to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ahtopaine postures up and lands a big shot to Ardonia's brow.

Ahtopaine gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ardonia throws a head kick but Ahtopaine moves out of range.
Ardonia throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Ahtopaine throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ardonia's waist but Ardonia gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ahtopaine off to one side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ardonia lands with a right hand.
Ardonia looks to clinch

so Ahtopaine counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ahtopaine passes Ardonia's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Ardonia actively working from the bottom here.
Ahtopaine seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ardonia does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Ardonia looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Ardonia looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ahtopaine lands with a punch from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ahtopaine is working for a kimura but Ardonia is defending it quite comfortably.
Ardonia on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Ahtopaine dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ardonia closes the distance but Ahtopaine moves to the side

and Ahtopaine counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Ardonia pushes Ahtopaine off looking to stand but Ahtopaine dives back in and keeps control.

Ardonia is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ahtopaine pulls his head out easily.
Ardonia taking some punishment here, with Ahtopaine in his half guard.

Ardonia looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ahtopaine scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ahtopaine seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Ahtopaine lands strikes from half guard.

Ahtopaine wants to work for an arm triangle but Ardonia is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Ahtopaine is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ardonia defends it well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ardonia regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ardonia has his foot on Ahtopaine's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ahtopaine works his way back into a safe position though.
Ahtopaine scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ahtopaine wants to control from the top but Ardonia keeps moving.
Ahtopaine postures up and lands a big shot to Ardonia's brow.
Ahtopaine wanted to stand there but Ardonia had control of the position.

Ahtopaine thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ahtopaine stopping the sweep attempt from Ardonia.
Ardonia is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Igor Ahtopaine has got the better of the ground game so far.

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

Ahtopaine shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ardonia manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ardonia is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ahtopaine wants to control from the top but Ardonia keeps moving.
Ahtopaine postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Ardonia is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Ardonia working for a triangle but Ahtopaine defends it easily.
Ahtopaine stands and throws Ardonia's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ahtopaine has hold of Ardonia's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Ardonia seems comfortable defending it but Ahtopaine has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Ardonia is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Ardonia is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Ahtopaine couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:07 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Igor Ahtopaine!