PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Aleksi Hihnavaara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Les Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hihnavaara comes to the cage accompanied by Kallio Vice. Aleksi Hihnavaara has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Hihnavaara
vs
Paul

175 cm
28
158 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

160 cm
27
153 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Powerful

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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 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Aleksi Hihnavaara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Les Paul!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, George Francis and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paul takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Hihnavaara misses with a series of wild punches.
Hihnavaara avoids the body shot from Paul.
Paul shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hihnavaara as he avoids it easily.
Paul loads up on a big right hand but Hihnavaara slips the punch.
A big left from Hihnavaara misses.
Paul throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hihnavaara misses with a two punch combination.
Hihnavaara scores with a punch to the head.
Hihnavaara throws a low kick but Paul avoids it.
Paul takes a swing at Hihnavaara's ribcage but misses.
Paul dodges the punch combination from Hihnavaara.
Paul shoots in for a takedown but Hihnavaara shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hihnavaara doesn't manage to clinch there - Paul circles away.
Paul misses with a jab to the body
letting Hihnavaara counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Paul darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Paul avoids the body shot from Hihnavaara.
Paul swings for the body but Hihnavaara moves out of range.
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 looping right.
Hihnavaara tries to bum rush Paul with a series of wild strikes but Paul uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hihnavaara ducks under a wild hook from Paul.
Hihnavaara looks to score with a jab to the body but Paul is just out of range.

Paul closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Hihnavaara is trying to maintain the position but Paul is very close to passing his half guard.
Paul wants to pass the guard but Hihnavaara is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hihnavaara is controlling Paul's position as best he can from this difficult position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Aleksi Hihnavaara.
Hihnavaara misses with a body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Paul darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hihnavaara tries to get to full guard but Paul has control of the leg.
Paul wants to pass the guard but Hihnavaara is defending well.

Hihnavaara is defending against the submission attempts here by Paul.
Hihnavaara is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul wants to control but Hihnavaara is keeping him busy.
Paul is thwarting Hihnavaara's attempts to control the position.
Paul is trying to control the action in half guard but Hihnavaara is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Paul slows the pace down in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Aleksi Hihnavaara wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Paul fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hihnavaara avoids it really well and circles away.
Aleksi Hihnavaara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Les Paul.
Hihnavaara throws a leg kick but Paul sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hihnavaara lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Paul backs up against the cage.
Paul shoots for a takedown but Hihnavaara saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hihnavaara misses with a looping right.
Hihnavaara throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hihnavaara getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hihnavaara punishes Paul's body with a nice straight punch.
Aleksi Hihnavaara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from Hihnavaara does it's job there.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Paul ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
No joy there for Hihnavaara, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nice straight punches there by Hihnavaara. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hihnavaara.
Hihnavaara misses with a body shot.
Hihnavaara looks to score with a jab to the body but Paul is just out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksi Hihnavaara dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hihnavaara lands an overhand right.
A nice inside leg kick there by Paul. That's going to slow Hihnavaara down.
Paul swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hihnavaara is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hihnavaara fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Paul misses with a straight right.
Hihnavaara fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nice shot lands for Hihnavaara.
Nice defenses there by Paul.
Paul throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hihnavaara uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Paul has time to react.
Paul checks a low kick from Hihnavaara.
A big left from Paul misses.
Hihnavaara is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Paul scores with a jab to the head.
Paul throws a body punch but Hihnavaara moves out of range.
Hihnavaara jabs Paul right on the nose. Paul blinks but takes it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hihnavaara lands a two punch combo.
Hihnavaara stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Aleksi Hihnavaara is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hihnavaara thows a body shot but no joy.
Paul looks to throw the jab but Hihnavaara is out of range.
Hihnavaara looks to land a left hand but Paul moved out of range nicely.
Paul misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hihnavaara.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Hihnavaara enables Paul to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Hihnavaara manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Hihnavaara is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Paul trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Paul is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Paul stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hihnavaara swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hihnavaara is adopting a defensive guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Aleksi Hihnavaara just wasn't active enough.
Hihnavaara connects with a jab.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Hihnavaara misses the body punch
and Paul makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hihnavaara lands with a straight right. Paul didn't see that one coming.
Paul ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hihnavaara moves away.
Aleksi Hihnavaara is winning the standup battle so far.
Hihnavaara throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Paul sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Paul, as that shot connected.
Hihnavaara misses with a body shot
and Paul makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hihnavaara lands with a good body shot.
Paul takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hihnavaara staying out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hihnavaara lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Paul avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hihnavaara just misses with a punch to the body.
Paul is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hihnavaara rather than just go for the knockout.
Hihnavaara is looking to clinch but Paul is avoiding it.
Hihnavaara tests Paul's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Paul looks to score with a jab to the body but Hihnavaara is just out of range.
Hihnavaara looks to score with a jab to the body but Paul is just out of range.
A combination from Hihnavaara does no damage.
Paul uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Paul moves out of range of the strikes.
Paul misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hihnavaara.
Paul sizes up Hihnavaara with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hihnavaara looks to score with a jab to the body but Paul is just out of range.
Hihnavaara throws a jab when Paul was well out of range.
Paul slips a jab and a cross from Hihnavaara.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hihnavaara takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Paul misses with a body shot.
Paul misses with a takedown attempt - Hihnavaara sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hihnavaara scores with a nice head shot.
Hihnavaara misses with a looping left.
Hihnavaara scores with the left hand. Paul knows he should have avoided that one.
Paul swings for the body but Hihnavaara moves out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Paul checks the leg kick nicely there.
Paul keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Paul checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hihnavaara throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Paul misses the shot to the body.
Paul moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Paul misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hihnavaara throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Paul changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hihnavaara tries to avoid it but Paul manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hihnavaara to the ground. Hihnavaara escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hihnavaara slips a straight right by Paul.
Paul misses with a straight left.
Hihnavaara tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Paul paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Paul takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hihnavaara throws an overhand right that lands on Paul's shoulder, as Paul tries to avoid the shot.
Hihnavaara scores with a hook to the body. Paul takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hihnavaara misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul misses with the combination.
Hihnavaara throws a left and a right that both miss
and Paul makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Paul swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hihnavaara cracks Paul with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Hihnavaara is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Paul has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Paul tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hihnavaara was well out of range. Poor timing from Paul.
Hihnavaara misses with a wild body shot.
Hihnavaara thuds a left hand into Paul's body.
Paul takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hihnavaara connects with a looping right hand.
Hihnavaara misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Paul.
Paul shoots for a double leg takedown but Hihnavaara sprawls well. He's pushed Paul's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Aleksi Hihnavaara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Les Paul.
Hihnavaara rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Paul counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hihnavaara's guard now.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Hihnavaara wants to sweep here but Paul controlling him for the moment.
Hihnavaara keeping full guard, as Paul tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hihnavaara is trying to keep Paul in close.
Paul sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hihnavaara's guard.
Hihnavaara is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hihnavaara wants to control but Paul is keeping busy.
Aleksi Hihnavaara is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Paul is trying to control. Hihnavaara wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Still in half guard, Paul seems content to control.
Les Paul has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hihnavaara moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Hihnavaara keeping moving, preventing Paul from controlling successfully.
Les Paul has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Les Paul wasn't active enough on the ground.
Hihnavaara lands with a kick to the temple. Paul shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Paul blocks a jab.
Paul looks to score with a jab to the body but Hihnavaara is just out of range.
A big left from Paul misses.
Hihnavaara slips a jab from Paul.
Hihnavaara connects with a nice looking jab.
Hihnavaara throws a series of punches but Paul moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul shoots in looking for a takedown but Hihnavaara manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Paul's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Paul looks to score with a jab to the body but Hihnavaara is just out of range.
Hihnavaara will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hihnavaara scores with a one two! Paul had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Hihnavaara throws a looping overhand right but Paul ducks down to avoid it.
Paul ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Paul tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hihnavaara sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Paul somewhat.
Hihnavaara lands with an uppercut that bounces Paul off the cage and back into rage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hihnavaara moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Paul has a takedown stuffed.

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 Aleksi Hihnavaara.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hihnavaara, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27

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