PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kato Aspenia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff Hecker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hecker has chosen The Ultimate Warrior as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. This should be a great matchup!

Aspenia
vs
Hecker

172 cm
40
130 lbs
17 - 27 - 0

175 cm
30
135 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 27 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kato Aspenia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jeff Hecker!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Johanna Lukiainen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hecker has closed the distance and engaged Aspenia in a clinch.

Aspenia manages to break the clinch.

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

Hecker has his foot on Aspenia's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Aspenia works his way back into a safe position though.

Aspenia avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aspenia trying to control but Hecker is working from the bottom.
Aspenia wants to get up but he can't break Hecker's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Aspenia gets to his feet - Hecker follows without any prompting.
Aspenia shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hecker as he avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hecker has a takedown stuffed.
Aspenia closes the distance and clinches up with Hecker, looking for a takedown. Aspenia pushes Hecker against the cage but Hecker circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hecker fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Aspenia with a poor takedown

and Hecker counters with a shoot takedown. Aspenia fights it but they end up in guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kato Aspenia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hecker looking to sit in guard and control but Aspenia gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aspenia lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Aspenia got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hecker has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Aspenia has managed to get both his arms back between Hecker's legs - danger averted.

Hecker is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Aspenia is aware though and is defending well.

Hecker is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hecker is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Hecker working for a triangle but Aspenia defends it easily.

Hecker escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Aspenia gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Aspenia throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hecker is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Aspenia defends well.
Aspenia has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hecker throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Aspenia throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Hecker looking for a guillotine here but Aspenia defends easily.
Aspenia slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Aspenia working the ground and pound from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hecker is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Hecker's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hecker takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Hecker avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Aspenia.

Aspenia stands up and beckons Hecker to his feet.
Hecker fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Hecker darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Hecker is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Aspenia doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hecker.
Hecker trying to control from half guard but Aspenia is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hecker is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Aspenia trying to control here.
Aspenia is trying to stand up here but Hecker is controlling him well.

Aspenia kicks Hecker off and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kato Aspenia will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hecker keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Aspenia is looking to clinch.
A punch combination from Aspenia misses.
Kato Aspenia is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hecker shoots in for a double leg but Aspenia sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hecker looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hecker will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kato Aspenia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Hecker.
Hecker shoots for a double leg takedown but Aspenia sprawls well. He's pushed Hecker's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Aspenia pushes Hecker up against the cage in a clinch.
Hecker tries for a takedown. No joy.

Aspenia breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A combination from Aspenia does no damage.
Hecker shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aspenia is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hecker can do to turn this around?
Aspenia turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hecker takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Aspenia lands with a hook. Hecker tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aspenia tries to clinch but Hecker is having none of it.
We've been told by Aspenia's head coaches at Bad Pluto! that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Hecker tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Aspenia swivels and escapes.
Hecker has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Good leg kick by Aspenia there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hecker closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aspenia circles away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Aspenia!
Hecker stuffs the takedown.
Hecker fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hecker is breathing heavily.

Aspenia clinches up with Hecker and pushes him back against the cage.
Hecker drops down looking for an ankle pick but Aspenia pulls his leg out and moves away.
Aspenia shoots for a takedown but Hecker saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A nice combination there by Aspenia.
Kato Aspenia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aspenia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hecker shoots in looking for a takedown but Aspenia manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hecker's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Aspenia scores with a nice body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aspenia tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hecker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Aspenia darts in looking for a takedown but Hecker gets double underhooks and turns Aspenia into the cage.
Hecker has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Aspenia is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Aspenia prevents a body shot from Hecker.

Aspenia's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Aspenia misses with a few strikes there.
Hecker dodges the punch combination from Aspenia.
Hecker fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Hecker looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Aspenia keeping moving, preventing Hecker from controlling successfully.
Aspenia keeping full guard, as Hecker tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aspenia controlling the position.
Hecker stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Aspenia swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Hecker has gone for a leg lock! Aspenia slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hecker's guard.

Aspenia wanted to stand there but Hecker had control of the position.
Hecker wants to sweep but no luck.
Aspenia trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hecker is trying to control the position but Aspenia postures up.
Hecker preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aspenia passes into half guard.

Aspenia decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Aspenia tries to clinch up but Hecker circles away and keeps his distance.
Hecker looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Aspenia is fending him off so far but Hecker persists. Nope, Aspenia circles away and we're back to standing.
Aspenia fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hecker waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aspenia.
Hecker has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Aspenia is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hecker sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hecker fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Aspenia. No joy for Hecker on that attempt.
Aspenia tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hecker swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hecker tries to score a power double leg takedown but Aspenia sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hecker somewhat.
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!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Hecker enables Aspenia to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Hecker manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kato Aspenia dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Aspenia shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hecker sprawls well. Hecker wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Aspenia gets slowly back to his feet.
Hecker shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Aspenia but Aspenia pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Aspenia shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hecker sprawls well. Hecker wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Aspenia gets slowly back to his feet.

Aspenia rushes Hecker and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Aspenia gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hecker.

Aspenia breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aspenia fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Aspenia!
Hecker misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hecker fails with the takedown
and Aspenia counters with a two punch combo.
Kato Aspenia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Hecker.
Hecker takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hecker misses with a takedown attempt - Aspenia sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Aspenia slaps away a takedown attempt from Hecker, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Aspenia tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hecker sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Aspenia somewhat.
Hecker throws a hook but Aspenia blocks it.
Aspenia looks to land a combination but Hecker avoids it well.
Aspenia moves in looking to clinch but Hecker pushes him off.
Aspenia wants to clinch up but Hecker keeps it at a distance.
Aspenia lunges at Hecker with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hecker's hand.

Aspenia moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Aspenia manages to break the clinch.
Aspenia circles away from the clinch attempt.

Hecker scores with a takedown into Aspenia's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hecker trying to control but Aspenia is working from the bottom.
Hecker passes into half guard.
Aspenia is concentrating on defense, preventing Hecker from advancing position.
Aspenia is looking to improve his position.
Aspenia is not content to let Hecker control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hecker seems to be working for a kimura but Aspenia defends the submission attempt.
Aspenia is refusing to be controlled, as Hecker sits in half guard.
Aspenia wants to get back to his feet.
Hecker stalling away here and it's allowed Aspenia to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Hecker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Aspenia has his hands on Hecker's head, controlling the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Aspenia keeping moving, preventing Hecker from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hecker shoots in for a double leg but Aspenia sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hecker avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hecker shoots for a double leg takedown but Aspenia sprawls well. He's pushed Hecker's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kato Aspenia is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hecker looks to land a combination but Aspenia avoids it well.
Jeff Hecker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hecker looks for a takedown but Aspenia sprawls well.
Aspenia scores with a jab to the jaw.

Aspenia fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hecker sprawls well initially but Aspenia persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kato Aspenia showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Aspenia has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kato Aspenia!
Jeff Hecker was interviewed post fight and said 'I......I don't know.....It didn't go my way. I'm gonna hit the gym, and come back better than ever.'.