PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Highfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aakke Vuori (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Highfield
vs
Vuori

173 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

192 cm
23
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, James Highfield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aakke Vuori!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Danga de danga de dang - Highfield scores with a four punch combination!
Highfield looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Vuori tries to counter with a clinch but Highfield shakes him off and moves away.
Highfield misses with a few strikes there.
Vuori dodges the punch combination from Highfield.
Vuori tries to counter with a clinch but Highfield shakes him off and moves away.
Highfield misses with a few strikes there.

Vuori tries to keep at a distance but Highfield has taken the fight into the clinch.
Vuori tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Highfield just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Vuori takes a shot to the head.
Vuori stalls.
Highfield is trying to break the clinch but Vuori is controlling him.

Highfield breaks from the clinch.
Highfield throws a right hand that Vuori ducks under and follows up with a left that Vuori also avoids with ease.
Vuori misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highfield fails to land with a series of punches.
Highfield goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Vuori fails with an attempt to clinch.
Highfield was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Vuori is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Highfield misses with a few strikes there.
Highfield sets himself, and Vuori steps forward looking for the clinch! Highfield avoids it this time.
Highfield throws a big shot that misses.
Vuori slips a jab and a cross from Highfield.
Vuori wants to counter with a clinch but Highfield pushes him away.
Highfield throws a chopping leg kick but Vuori manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
And Vuori tries to counter it with a takedown but Highfield pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Highfield takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Highfield throws a hook but Vuori blocks it.
Vuori closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Vuori shoots in and drives through. Highfield sprawls well.
Highfield went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Highfield swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Highfield misses with a wild body shot.
Vuori is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Highfield misses with the combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vuori wants to clinch up but Highfield keeps it at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Vuori tries to land knees in the clinch but Highfield avoids the damage to the body.
Highfield has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Highfield wants to get back to striking at distance but Vuori won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Highfield's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Vuori lands an elbow that stopped Highfield in his tracks for a moment.
Vuori keeps control of Highfield as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Vuori comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Vuori is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Highfield tries to break free but Vuori pushes him back against the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Highfield avoids a wild elbow strike from Vuori.
Highfield misses with a punch on the inside.
Highfield avoids the elbow strike from Vuori, against the ropes.
Highfield wants to break free but Vuori has control.
Nice elbow from Vuori.
Vuori controlling the action here for a moment.
Vuori lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like James Highfield has been cut.
Vuori tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Highfield avoids it.
Highfield wants to get back to striking at distance but Vuori won't allow it.
Highfield wants to break the clinch but can't.
Vuori throws an elbow that misses.
Highfield tries to break the clinch but Vuori is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vuori pulls guard effortlessly.

Vuori is working an open guard so Highfield takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Highfield throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Highfield drives through and clinches with Vuori against the ropes.
Highfield tries to break the clinch but Vuori is controlling the position.
Vuori creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Highfield is trying to break the clinch but Vuori is controlling him.
Highfield wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Highfield breaks from the clinch.
Highfield circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vuori defending well as Highfield loads up on a big left hand.
We've been told by Highfield's head coaches at Mo's ($499) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Vuori wants to clinch up but Highfield keeps it at a distance.
Highfield misses with a few strikes there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Highfield dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Highfield's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Highfield checks a leg kick.
Vuori slips a jab and a cross from Highfield.
Vuori dodges the punch combination from Highfield.
Highfield is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vuori can do to turn this around?
Some wild striking there from Highfield.

Vuori drives through and clinches with Highfield against the ropes.
Highfield can't break the clinch.
Highfield dodges an elbow strike from Vuori.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Highfield working hard to break the clinch.
Highfield taking a breather.
Highfield is trying to maintain a safe position but Vuori gets an underhook and turns Highfield into the ropes.
Highfield wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Vuori has him pressed against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vuori is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Highfield wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Vuori has him pressed against the ropes.
Still in the clinch, Highfield scores with a nice short uppercut.
Highfield looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Vuori pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Vuori lands an elbow that stopped Highfield in his tracks for a moment.
Highfield managing to block the knees to the body from Vuori.
Highfield working hard to break the clinch.
Vuori keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Highfield's efforts to push away.
Highfield managing to block the knees to the body from Vuori.
Vuori looking to stall.
Highfield swings wildly with an uppercut but Vuori uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vuori looking to slow down the pace here.
Highfield is trying to break free.
Vuori fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Highfield is looking to break free of the clinch but Vuori has double underhooks.
Vuori blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Highfield is trying to push Vuori away but Vuori has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Vuori prevents Highfield from breaking the clinch.
Highfield is trying to break the clinch but Vuori has him pressed against the ropes.
Highfield wants to break the clinch but can't.
Highfield wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Vuori has him pressed against the ropes.
Highfield looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vuori lands an elbow just above Highfield 's eye.
Vuori keeps control of Highfield as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Vuori is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Highfield is defending well for now.
Vuori lands an elbow inside that Highfield shrugs off.
Highfield tries to break the clinch but Vuori is controlling the position.
Vuori wants to take the fight to the mat but Highfield manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Highfield stops a takedown attempt from Vuori.
James Highfield has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aakke Vuori.
Highfield wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Highfield wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Vuori is trying to stall.
Highfield wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Highfield looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Vuori has Highfield pressed against the ropes, preventing Highfield from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Highfield wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Vuori is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Vuori has Highfield pressed against the ropes, preventing Highfield from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Highfield is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Highfield is trying to break the clinch but Vuori is controlling him.
Highfield wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Vuori has Highfield pressed against the ropes, preventing Highfield from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Highfield wants to break the clinch but can't.
Highfield is looking to break free of the clinch but Vuori has double underhooks.
Highfield is looking to control Vuori's arms but Vuori gets an underhook and turns him. Now Highfield has his back to the ropes.
Highfield wants to break the clinch but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A knee to the head by Vuori.
Vuori has Highfield pressed against the ropes, preventing Highfield from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Vuori keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Highfield's efforts to push away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aakke Vuori showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on James Highfield's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Vuori is looking to clinch.
Highfield misses with a two punch combination.
Highfield looks to land a combination but Vuori avoids it well.
Highfield looks to land a combination but Vuori avoids it well.
Highfield misses with a wild combination.
James Highfield is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Vuori moves into the clinch successfully.
Highfield is trying to force a seperation but Vuori has the dominant position.
Vuori misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Highfield.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vuori throws a knee to the head but misses.

Vuori manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Vuori has a closed guard, preventing Highfield from standing up.
Vuori seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Highfield wants to stand but Vuori has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Highfield might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Vuori is adopting a defensive guard.

Highfield gets to his feet. Vuori looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Vuori misses with a kick to the body.

Vuori clinches up with Highfield and pushes him back against the ropes.
Highfield avoids the elbow strike from Vuori, against the ropes.
Aakke Vuori seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A frustrated look appears on Highfield's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Highfield is trying to break the clinch but Vuori has him pressed against the ropes.
Vuori prevents Highfield from breaking the clinch.
Vuori prevents Highfield from breaking the clinch.
Highfield pushes off an throws an elbow but Vuori leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Vuori is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Highfield breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Highfield misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sloppy strikes from Highfield. Those never looked like landing.
Vuori wants to counter the offense by Highfield and move into the clinch position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Highfield closes the distance and clinches.
Vuori throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Vuori has Highfield pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Highfield manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Highfield is trying to break the clinch but Vuori is controlling him.
Highfield is trying to break the clinch but Vuori is controlling him.
Highfield has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Vuori is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Highfield is defending well for now.
Highfield blocks the elbow strike.
Vuori has Highfield pressed against the ropes, preventing Highfield from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Highfield is trying to push Vuori away but Vuori has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Highfield is trying to break free.
Highfield looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Highfield is trying to push Vuori away but Vuori has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Highfield wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Highfield is trying to force a seperation but Vuori has the dominant position.
Vuori has Highfield pressed against the ropes, preventing Highfield from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Vuori lands an elbow that stopped Highfield in his tracks for a moment.
Vuori trying to control the position but instead, Highfield has worked for underhooks and has pushed Vuori into the ropes.
Vuori keeps control of Highfield as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Highfield takes a knee to the side of the body.
Highfield tries to circle away but Vuori has him pinned against the ropes.
Vuori goes for a takedown attempt but Highfield pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
James Highfield has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aakke Vuori.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Vuori is looking to clinch but Highfield is avoiding it.
Vuori fails with an attempt to clinch.
Vuori tries to clinch but Highfield moves out of range.

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 James Highfield.
I think Highfield 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Highfield!