PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Aleksi Hihnavaara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hihnavaara's entrance music is Kallio Vice. A fine choice. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hihnavaara
vs
Jones

175 cm
26
155 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

175 cm
22
155 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Aleksi Hihnavaara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Jones!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jones misses with a looping right.
Hihnavaara lands a head shot.
Hihnavaara misses the shot to the body.

Hihnavaara moves into the clinch.
Hihnavaara lands a left hand.
Come on Hihnavaara - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Hihnavaara gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Jones throws a head punch that misses.
A short body shot lands from Hihnavaara as the two fighters clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Hihnavaara.
Jones swings wildly with an uppercut but Hihnavaara uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jones misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jones lands with a left to the head.
Hihnavaara prevents a body shot from Jones.
Hihnavaara makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hihnavaara is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Jones is keeping busy.
Jones blocks an uppercut.
Jones tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hihnavaara blocks a body shot from Jones.
Jones tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jones takes a shot to the head.
Jones blocks a body shot from Hihnavaara.
Hihnavaara lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Jones can't find room to land a body shot as Hihnavaara controls the action.
Jones misses with a punch to the body.
Nice body punch from Jones - that landed with a thud.
Jones tries to throw a body punch but Hihnavaara avoids it by throwing Jones back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Hihnavaara.
A shot in the inside from Jones.
Hihnavaara scores with a hook to the body.
Hihnavaara is leaning against Jones and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hihnavaara misses with the head strike.
Jones tries to work over Hihnavaara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Hihnavaara fails to land.
Jones is trying to maintain a safe position but Hihnavaara gets an underhook and turns Jones into the cage.
Jones misses with a hook to the ribs.
Jones tries to throw a body punch but Hihnavaara avoids it by throwing Jones back against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Jones.
Jones trying to control the position but instead, Hihnavaara has worked for underhooks and has pushed Jones into the cage.
Hihnavaara doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short uppercut from Hihnavaara.
Jones prevents a body shot from Hihnavaara.
Jones working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hihnavaara lands a right hand.
Jones fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Hihnavaara breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A nice combination there by Hihnavaara.
A jab from Hihnavaara does it's job there.
Jones gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hihnavaara.
Jones takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hihnavaara digs a good hook to Jones's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hihnavaara. Jones does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jones has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Jones dips to his left and cracks Hihnavaara with an uppercut!
Hihnavaara blocks a jab.
Hihnavaara fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Jones swings away with a body shot that misses

and Hihnavaara holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Hihnavaara scores with a shoulder strike.
Hihnavaara tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hihnavaara.
Hihnavaara's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hihnavaara cracks Jones with a nice body shot.
Jones's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hihnavaara stalling.

Hihnavaara has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Jones regains guard immediately.
Hihnavaara stands and throws Jones's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Hihnavaara trying to control the action but Jones is working from the bottom.
Jones manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones wants to improve his position but Hihnavaara is controlling well.
Hihnavaara moves into full mount! Jones won't be happy about that!
Hihnavaara dominating with strikes here.
Hihnavaara tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Jones is trying to escape the mount but Hihnavaara keeps good control and instead manages to take Jones's back.
Jones is covering up but some of the strikes from Hihnavaara are getting through and doing damage.
Hihnavaara is looking to control Jones but Jones is wriggling around and keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hihnavaara controls the action.
Jones trying to control the position but Hihnavaara manages to sink in the hooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Jones's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Hihnavaara tries to keep control of the position but Jones is staying busy.

Hihnavaara is looking for the choke from the back position but Jones is controlling his hands well.
Will Hihnavaara go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Jones avoids the strikes from Hihnavaara.
Jones tries to break free.
Jones trying to control the hands but Hihnavaara won't let him.
Hihnavaara doesn't have the hooks in and Jones manages to turn into his 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.
Hihnavaara avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jones won't allow Hihnavaara to sweep him here.
Jones connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksi Hihnavaara dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hihnavaara goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Hihnavaara misses with a hook to the body

and Jones counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Jones misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hihnavaara can't find room to land a body shot as Jones controls the action.
Hihnavaara blocks a body shot from Jones.
Jones has a couple of punches blocked by Hihnavaara.
Jones is working Hihnavaara over against the cage.
Jones stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hihnavaara lands a right hand that snaps the head of Jones backwards.
Jones is trying to maintain a safe position but Hihnavaara gets an underhook and turns Jones into the cage.
Jones tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Jones.
A hook to the body from Jones.
Jones on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hihnavaara tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jones lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hihnavaara tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jones is working Hihnavaara over against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Jones misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jones tries to work over Hihnavaara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hihnavaara lands a shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Jones.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jones is working Hihnavaara over against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jones is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hihnavaara is keeping busy.
Aleksi Hihnavaara has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Jones lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hihnavaara backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones digs a right hand underneath Hihnavaara's ribcage. Hihnavaara let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Jones lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hihnavaara prevents a body shot from Jones.
Jones presses Hihnavaara against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hihnavaara blocks a body shot from Jones.
Hihnavaara doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Jones struggles to land a body shot inside as Hihnavaara controls his hands.
Jones blocks an uppercut.
Jones misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jones stalling.
Jones lands a nice shot to the body.
Jones lands a nice uppercut.
Jones pushes Hihnavaara back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Hihnavaara misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jones misses with a body punch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Jones takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hihnavaara prevents a body shot from Jones.
Jones lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hihnavaara backwards.
Hihnavaara misses with the head strike.
Hihnavaara can't break the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Hihnavaara misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jones tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hihnavaara's elbow.
Jones misses with the head strike.
Hihnavaara prevents a body shot from Jones.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hihnavaara.
Hihnavaara lands a body shot in the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Hihnavaara.
Jones lands with a short shot to the head.
Hihnavaara is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hihnavaara tries a body shot but Jones blocks it.
Still in the clinch, Jones scores with a nice short uppercut.
Jones digs a right hand underneath Hihnavaara's ribcage. Hihnavaara let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Jones can't find room to land a body shot as Hihnavaara controls the action.
Jones tries to work over Hihnavaara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice body punch from Jones.
Jones goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Good body shot from Jones.
Jones lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Jones misses with some punches.
Jones struggles to land a body shot inside as Hihnavaara controls his hands.
Jones pushes Hihnavaara back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short right from Hihnavaara.
Hihnavaara lands a shot to the body.
A short right from Jones on the inside.
Jones fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jones manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hihnavaara lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Jones.
Jones tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jones tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hihnavaara's elbow.
Hihnavaara digs a right hand into Jones's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Jones's gas tank.
Jones can't find room to land a body shot as Hihnavaara controls the action.
Hihnavaara's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Jones lands with a left to the head.
Jones goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hihnavaara gets through Jones's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hihnavaara tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Jones's elbow.
Jones misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hihnavaara lands a hook that snaps the head of Jones backwards.
Jones can't find room to land a body shot as Hihnavaara controls the action.
Hihnavaara working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hihnavaara wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Jones has him pressed against the cage.
Jones lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hihnavaara backwards.
Hihnavaara working aggressively here.
Jones tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jones struggles to land a body shot inside as Hihnavaara controls his hands.
Jones tries to work over Hihnavaara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jones lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hihnavaara lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Jones.
Hihnavaara misses with some punches.
Jones tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hihnavaara's elbow.
Hihnavaara prevents a body shot from Jones.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Hihnavaara.
Hihnavaara looking for a takedown.
Jones goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hihnavaara goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hihnavaara throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Joness head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Jones blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Hihnavaara.
Nice body punch from Hihnavaara - that landed with a thud.

Hihnavaara breaks the clinch.
Hihnavaara misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Jones counters with a right hand to the body.
Hihnavaara throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jones throws a jab but it's blocked by Hihnavaara.
Jones misses with an uppercut
and Hihnavaara counters with a left and a right that stings Jones.
Hihnavaara slips a straight right by Jones.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jones misses with a body punch
and Hihnavaara counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hihnavaara misses with a lunging right hand

and Jones moves into the clinch.
A hook to the body from Hihnavaara.
Jones tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hihnavaara's elbow.
Hihnavaara softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Jones showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hihnavaara thuds his right hand into Jones's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hihnavaara gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Jones tries to clinch up.
Jones walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hihnavaara shoots in for a double leg but Jones sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jones takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hihnavaara misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hihnavaara throws a nice looking combination but Jones bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hihnavaara digs a good body shot into Jones's ribs.
Hihnavaara fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hihnavaara staying out of range there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jones on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A left and a right from Hihnavaara both land. Nice combination.
Hihnavaara moves to clinch but Jones breaks away
and Jones counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A shot to the liver by Hihnavaara. Beautiful body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hihnavaara lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Jones wants to clinch up but Hihnavaara keeps it at a distance.
Hihnavaara lands a right hook to the body.
Hihnavaara jabs at Jones's body.
Jones misses with a lunging right hand
and Hihnavaara counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Jones throws a big shot that misses.
Jones misses with a body shot
and Hihnavaara counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hihnavaara thuds a left hand into Jones's body.
Hihnavaara moves away from the strike by Jones.
Jones misses with a lunging right hand
and Hihnavaara counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Jones tries to clinch there but Hihnavaara circles away.
Jones misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hihnavaara.
Jones is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hihnavaara misses with a wild body shot.
Jones misses with a combination
and Hihnavaara counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hihnavaara changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Aleksi Hihnavaara is winning the standup battle so far.
Hihnavaara lands a lovely overhand right.

Hihnavaara shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Hihnavaara passes into half guard.
Jones is refusing to be controlled, as Hihnavaara sits in half guard.

Hihnavaara is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Jones slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hihnavaara advances position into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hihnavaara is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Jones has escaped the position, nice work there.
Jones struggling a bit here.

Hihnavaara tries for a kimura but Jones is defending well.
Jones gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Jones wants to improve his position but Hihnavaara is controlling well.
Hihnavaara works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Hihnavaara is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Jones is surviving well by controlling Hihnavaara's body position as best he can.
Jones working to try and regain half guard.
Jones sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Jones wants to improve his position but Hihnavaara is controlling well.
Hihnavaara is looking to take a break and control but Jones is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleksi Hihnavaara showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hihnavaara 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleksi Hihnavaara!