PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Harley Higgins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ensio Aalto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ensio Aalto has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Harley Higgins's chin.

Higgins
vs
Aalto

152 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

200 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Harley Higgins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ensio Aalto!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aalto keeps the fight on the outside.

Aalto shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Higgins's guard.

Higgins is working an open guard so Aalto takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Higgins blocks a head kick by Aalto.
Aalto tries to score with a low kick but Higgins moves his leg out of the way.

Aalto is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Higgins's half guard.
Higgins wants to improve his position but Aalto is controlling well.
Aalto is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Aalto throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Aalto stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Higgins to get to his feet.
Aalto misses with a double jab
and Higgins connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aalto scores with a takedown into Higgins's guard.
Aalto must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Higgins looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Aalto puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Aalto stands up from half guard.
Aalto throws a sloppy head kick and Higgins moves out of range easily.
Higgins really is a fat lump.

Aalto darts in and clinches Higgins up against the cage.
Aalto looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Aalto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Higgins is trying hard to land a takedown here. Aalto sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aalto tries to close the distance and clinch up but Higgins swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Higgins avoids the head kick by Aalto.
Aalto tries to clinch there but Higgins circles away.
Higgins appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Aalto swats away the attempt to clinch by Higgins.
Aalto throws a front kick that sends Higgins stumbling back into the cage.
Aalto connects with an inside leg kick.

Aalto shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Higgins is trying to defend but Aalto finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aalto wants to take a breather but Higgins is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higgins is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Aalto's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Aalto's back!
Aalto wants to escape the position.

Higgins working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Higgins is breathing heavily.

Higgins patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Aalto tries to roll but Higgins sticks to his back.
Higgins not allowing Aalto to control his hands.
Higgins is trying to stick to Aalto's back but Aalto is turning into Higgins. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Higgins's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Aalto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aalto decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Higgins ducks right into an uppercut from Aalto.
Ensio Aalto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Aalto scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aalto sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Aalto is nestled in close to Higgins, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Higgins on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Higgins misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Higgins makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Higgins.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ensio Aalto dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nice cross by Aalto.

Aalto moves into the clinch successfully.
Higgins prevents a body shot from Aalto.

Aalto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Aalto looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Higgins gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Higgins wriggles free and stands up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Aalto scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Aalto has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higgins is looking to regain half guard here but Aalto keeps moving and retains side control.
Aalto gets to mount! Higgins was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Aalto in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Higgins is rocked!
Higgins keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Oh Higgins is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Aalto lands a big elbow - Higgins is in trouble! More strikes from the mount and Higgins is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:54 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Ensio Aalto!