PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aaron Aalto (ranked 4827 p4p, 463 weight class) and Joel Nielson (ranked 4318 p4p, 421 weight class). Nielson has chosen Enter Sandman by Metallica as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

Aalto
vs
Nielson

196 cm
25
265 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
270 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Annihilation Apparel
KAGED

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aaron Aalto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joel Nielson!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Alan Glass and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nielson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Aalto paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Aaron Aalto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aalto scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Nielson slips a jab and a cross from Aalto.
Aalto bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Nielson's head backwards.
Nielson darts in looking for a takedown but Aalto gets double underhooks and turns Nielson into the cage.

Nielson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Nielson is pressing down on Aalto's thigh, looking to free his foot. Aalto is holding on for now.
Nielson drops an elbow to the side of Aalto's head.
Nielson content to control rather than advance.
Nielson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nielson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto pushes Nielson off looking to stand but Nielson dives back in and keeps control.

Nielson stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Aalto to get to his feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nielson.
We've been told by Aalto's head coaches at Julius Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Nielson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Aalto to the mat! Aalto manages to get full guard.
Aalto is looking to stand up but Nielson isn't so interested in that idea.
Nielson trying to control but Aalto is working from the bottom.

Nielson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Aalto swings for the body but Nielson moves out of range.
Danga de danga de dang - Aalto scores with a four punch combination!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aalto throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nielson on the side of the head.
Aalto throws a right and a left that both miss.

Nielson closes the distance and clinches.
Nielson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Aalto to keep the fight standing.
Aaron Aalto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joel Nielson.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stalling in the clinch from Nielson.
Aalto has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nielson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Aalto smiles and moves away.
Nielson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Aalto swivels and escapes.
Aalto stuffs the takedown attempt from Nielson. Nielson gets slowly back to his feet.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Aalto, as that shot connected.
Nielson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Aalto circles away quickly and effectively.
Good standup being displayed there by Aalto as he connects with a hook.
Good shot there by Aalto.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aalto's jab looks to have found its range, popping Nielson under the eye.
Nielson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Aalto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nielson somewhat.
Nielson looks winded!
Aalto misses with a body shot.
Nielson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Aalto tests Nielson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nielson tries to clinch up.
Nielson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Aalto fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nielson on the side of the head.
Nielson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Aalto lands the left hand.

Nielson dives in and scores a takedown into Aalto's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nielson wants to control from the top but Aalto keeps moving.
Nielson is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nielson throwing strikes from guard but Aalto blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nielson gets to his feet - Aalto follows without any prompting.
Nielson walks into a jab.
Aalto fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A shot to the liver by Aalto. Beautiful body shot.
Nielson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nielson shoots for a takedown but Aalto saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Aalto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nielson shoots for a takedown but Aalto saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Aalto lands with an uppercut that bounces Nielson off the cage and back into range.
Nielson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Aalto connects with a jab.
Aalto lands a nice shot to the body.
Nielson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Aalto dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Aalto throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Aalto lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Aalto.
Aalto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Nielson drives through with a takedown into Aalto's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Nielson throws a big elbow that misses.
Aalto is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nielson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Aalto is keeping the position for now.

Nielson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Aaron Aalto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nielson gets the takedown into side control.

Nielson goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Aalto rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Nielson's guard! Nice work there by Aalto!
Aalto wants to stand and escape but instead Nielson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Aalto is looking to stand up but Nielson isn't so interested in that idea.
Nielson is looking to pass into half guard but Aalto pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Aalto is in guard.

Aalto tries to stand but Nielson is controlling from the bottom.
Aalto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nielson can do to turn this around?

Nielson pushes Aalto off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring 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!
Aalto misses with a lunging right hand
and Nielson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aalto lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Aalto cracks Nielson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Aalto clobbers Nielson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Aalto works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Aaron Aalto is winning the standup battle so far.
Nielson takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nielson looks for a takedown but Aalto sprawls well.
Nielson is breathing heavily.
Aalto's jab looks to have found its range, popping Nielson under the eye.
Nielson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aalto connects with a body shot.
A left lands for Aalto.
Jab by Aalto.
Nielson shoots for a double leg takedown but Aalto sprawls well. He's pushed Nielson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jab by Aalto.
Aalto is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Aalto cracks Nielson with a good jab.
Aalto punishes Nielson's body with a nice straight punch.
Aalto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nielson circles away quickly and effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Aalto lands.
Aalto throws a body shot but no joy.
Aalto lands with a hook. Nielson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Aalto looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nielson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Aalto scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Aalto lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Nielson backs up against the cage.
Aalto works the jab nicely.
Nielson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Aalto as he jumps to the side.
Aalto changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Aaron Aalto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joel Nielson.
Sloppy strikes from Aalto. Those never looked like landing.
Nielson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aalto misses with an uppercut.
Nielson with the counter takedown but Aalto avoids it easily.
Aalto will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
No joy there for Aalto, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Nielson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Aalto was covering up waiting for the punch and Nielson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Joel Nielson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nielson throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nielson is looking to work some ground and pound but Aalto has wrist control.
Nielson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nielson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nielson works over Aalto with some ground and pound from guard.

Nielson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A punch combination from Nielson misses.
Aalto attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Aalto scores with a jab to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Aalto 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!

Aalto tries to bum rush Nielson with a series of wild strikes but Nielson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nielson! But no joy.
Aalto stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Aalto wants it to stay on the feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Nielson or perhaps it was just good defense by Aalto, which made it look bad.

Nielson clinches with his opponent.
Nielson fails to pull guard.
Aaron Aalto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joel Nielson.
Aalto wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nielson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Aalto just stands there and leans against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aalto wants to get back to striking at distance but Nielson won't allow it.
Aalto is trying to break the clinch but Nielson is controlling him.
Nielson misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto is trying to break the clinch but Nielson has him pressed against the cage.
Nielson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nielson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nielson looking for a takedown.

Nielson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Aalto uses from the top position.
Aalto is looking to stand up but Nielson won't let him.
Aalto trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Aalto decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Nielson, up you get!
Aalto shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Nielson eats them both and turns towards Aalto to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
A punch combination from Aalto misses.
Nice uppercut there from Aalto.
Aaron Aalto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aalto connects with a body shot that sends Nielson's belly button to the back.
Some wild striking there from Aalto.
Aalto misses with a body punch
and Nielson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Aalto lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Aalto swings widly with a right hand
and Nielson finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aalto works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Aalto enables Nielson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Aalto manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Nielson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Nielson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Nielson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Aalto, up you get!
Nielson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Aalto rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nielson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Aalto thuds a left hand into Nielson's body.
Aalto swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nielson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Aalto.
A cross from Aalto lands.

Nielson shoots in and bounces Aalto off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Nielson lands a couple of elbows.
Nielson's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Nielson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Nielson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Aalto defends well and Nielson ends up having to push Aalto into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Aalto scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Aalto listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nielson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Aalto is fending him off so far but Nielson persists. Nope, Aalto circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nielson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Aalto.
Aalto lands a lovely overhand right.
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!
Aalto scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nielson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Aalto lands with a right hand.
Nielson tries to move into range but Aalto moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nielson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aalto.
Aalto connects with the punch.
Nielson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Aalto connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Nielson scrambles back to his feet.
Aalto punishes Nielson's body with a nice straight punch.
Nielson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Aalto to score with a decent uppercut.
Aalto cracks Nielson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nielson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Aalto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Joel Nielson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aalto throws a combination that misses

and Nielson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nielson.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aaron Aalto showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Aalto, 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aaron Aalto!
After the fight, Aaron Aalto was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.