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. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Hihnavaara
vs
Paul

175 cm
28
158 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

160 cm
27
153 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

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 13 - 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 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Les Paul!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, George Francis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paul misses with a body shot.

Paul shoots in and bounces Hihnavaara off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Paul passes into half guard.
Paul wants to free his trapped foot but Hihnavaara is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Paul is looking for a kimura here.
Paul works his way into side control.
Paul works to advance to full mount. Hihnavaara defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

Paul jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Hihnavaara is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Hihnavaara and Paul has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
You can see the frustration on Hihnavaara's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paul is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hihnavaara is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Paul is trying to get an arm triangle but Hihnavaara is defending well.
Hihnavaara struggling a bit here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hihnavaara sneaks back into half guard.

Paul is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hihnavaara is controlling Paul's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Paul wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hihnavaara keeps working.
Hihnavaara is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Hihnavaara is in trouble now - Paul has advanced to mount!

Paul swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Hihnavaara is now in Paul's guard. A big mistake from Paul there, giving up the dominant position!

Paul has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hihnavaara can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Paul keeping full guard, as Hihnavaara tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hihnavaara is stalling in the full guard.
Hihnavaara wants to pass the guard but Paul is keeping the position.

Paul looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Hihnavaara passes into side control.
Paul tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hihnavaara wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Hihnavaara decides to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hihnavaara.
Aleksi Hihnavaara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paul misses with a hook.
Paul paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Paul lands a head shot.
Hihnavaara throws a hook but Paul avoids it easily.
Paul drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hihnavaara thuds a left hand into Paul's body.
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 tries to bum rush Paul with a series of wild strikes but Paul uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Paul takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Paul shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hihnavaara fails to land with a series of punches.
Hihnavaara stalks Paul and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Paul's face. Paul staggers backwards, shaken.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hihnavaara takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Paul misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hihnavaara lands with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hihnavaara lands a nice hook to Paul's body. Paul takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Horrible takedown by Paul or perhaps it was just good defense by Hihnavaara which made him look bad.
Hihnavaara swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hihnavaara misses with a hook. Paul ducked under it nicely.
Paul fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Hihnavaara. Those never looked like landing.
Hihnavaara fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hihnavaara blocks a jab.
Hihnavaara throws a leg kick but Paul sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Paul ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hihnavaara moves away.
Hihnavaara keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Paul throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Paul misses with a body shot.
Hihnavaara jabs Paul to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Paul throws a lazy head kick
and Hihnavaara counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Paul misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hihnavaara throws a leg kick that misses.
Hihnavaara throws a series of strikes that have Paul backpedaling.
Paul checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hihnavaara smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hihnavaara is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A jab lands there for Hihnavaara.
Paul takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Hihnavaara getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hihnavaara lands a right hook to the body.
Paul throws a leg kick
enabling Hihnavaara to counter with a crisp jab.
Paul throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Paul jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hihnavaara. Paul does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hihnavaara avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hihnavaara misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hihnavaara lands a slapping body shot.
Hihnavaara cracks a nice hook into Paul's ribs.
Nice sprawl there from Hihnavaara as Paul shoots in.
Paul is breathing heavily.
Paul doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Hihnavaara counter with a right hand.
Aleksi Hihnavaara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Les Paul.
Hihnavaara tests Paul's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Paul thows a body shot but no joy.
Paul looks to land a right hand but Hihnavaara moved out of range.
Jab by Hihnavaara.
Hihnavaara lands a right hook to the body.
Hihnavaara lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Paul backs up against the cage.
Hihnavaara scores with a nice head shot.
Paul feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hihnavaara's calf.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hihnavaara thuds his right hand into Paul's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hihnavaara with a nice cross.
Paul avoids the body shot from Hihnavaara.
Hihnavaara lands with a straight right. Paul didn't see that one coming.
Hihnavaara throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Paul sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hihnavaara is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Hihnavaara keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hihnavaara scores with a jab.
Paul walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Paul misses with a body shot.
Hihnavaara connects with the punch.
Hihnavaara scores with a nice strike.
Hihnavaara's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hihnavaara duly obliges.
Paul avoids the body shot from Hihnavaara.
Paul thows a body shot but no joy.
Aleksi Hihnavaara is winning the standup battle so far.
Paul lands a jab to Hihnavaara's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul shoots in but Hihnavaara avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Paul misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hihnavaara.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hihnavaara rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Paul moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Paul is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hihnavaara rather than just go for the knockout.
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.
Paul pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Paul ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hihnavaara moves away.
Hihnavaara scores with a punch to the head.
Paul lands a jab to Hihnavaara's midsection.
Hihnavaara misses with an uppercut.
Paul dives in and grabs Hihnavaara's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hihnavaara pushes down on Paul's head and hops out.
Hihnavaara connects with a body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Some wild striking there from Hihnavaara.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hihnavaara.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksi Hihnavaara dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Paul manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Hihnavaara on his heels. He'll look to pass Hihnavaara's guard now, I'm sure.
Hihnavaara pulls Paul in to control the position.
Paul passes Hihnavaara's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Paul is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hihnavaara sees it coming and defends easily.
Hihnavaara is concentrating on defense, preventing Paul from advancing position.
Paul trying to control the action but Hihnavaara is working from the bottom.
Hihnavaara has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Paul is working away from the top position though.
Paul is looking to advance position but Hihnavaara won't allow it.
Hihnavaara is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Paul wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hihnavaara keeps working.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hihnavaara ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Paul moves away.
Hihnavaara uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Paul.
Hihnavaara lands with a nice combination. Paul backs away looking to recover.
Paul has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Paul throws a looping overhand right but Hihnavaara ducks down to avoid it.
Hihnavaara misses with the combination.
Paul has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Paul there as he acknowledges the shot.
Aleksi Hihnavaara is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Paul shoots in for a double leg but Hihnavaara sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Paul misses with a body shot.
Paul steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hihnavaara.
Paul takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hihnavaara.
Hihnavaara scores with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hihnavaara scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Paul just misses with a punch to the body.
Paul shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hihnavaara as he jumps to the side.
Hihnavaara connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Paul momentarily.
Hihnavaara is looking to clinch.
Hihnavaara throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hihnavaara fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Paul has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
No joy there for Hihnavaara, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Paul shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Paul showed some decent athleticism there.
Hihnavaara is looking to improve his position.
Hihnavaara trying to hold on to Paul's head to control him but Paul postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paul seems to be looking for submissions.
Paul prevents Hihnavaara from improving his position.
Hihnavaara slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hihnavaara keeping full guard, as Paul tries to pass.
Hihnavaara keeping moving, preventing Paul from controlling successfully.
Paul trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hihnavaara looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Paul wants to control from the top but Hihnavaara keeps moving.
Paul tries to free his leg and advance position but Hihnavaara is retaining full guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Paul looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Aleksi Hihnavaara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Les Paul.
Hihnavaara digs a good body shot into Paul's ribs.
Hihnavaara throws out a powerful jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hihnavaara connects with a right hand. Paul shakes it off.
Jab by Hihnavaara.
Hihnavaara connects with a looping right hand.
Hihnavaara misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

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.
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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

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