PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Danilo Ramirez (ranked 24640 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abdourahmane Aladji (ranked 5707 p4p, 0 weight class). Danilo Ramirez has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Ramirez
vs
Aladji

220 cm
19
278 lbs
3 - 0 - 1

188 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 3 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Danilo Ramirez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Abdourahmane Aladji!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aladji bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ramirez is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Aladji off and has taken his back!
Aladji tries to break free.

Aladji is in a bad position with Ramirez working for a choke. Aladji manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.
Aladji wanted to stand there but Ramirez had control of the position.
Ramirez is pulling down on Aladji's head to control his posture.
Ramirez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Aladji is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Ramirez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Aladji can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ramirez working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aladji is stalling in the full guard.

Ramirez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Aladji not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ramirez working a defensive guard here.
Ramirez thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Aladji seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Ramirez wants to sweep here but Aladji controlling him for the moment.
Aladji advances position into side control!
Ramirez is trying to control Aladji's posture but Aladji avoids it.

Aladji has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Aladji shoots in and drives through. Ramirez sprawls well.
Ramirez is looking to counter the offense by Aladji and move into the clinch.
Aladji shoots in but no luck this time.
Abdourahmane Aladji seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big left from Aladji misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez avoids a punch combination nicely.
A quick step to the side and Ramirez tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aladji lands a nice shot to the body.
Aladji tries to clinch there but Ramirez circles away.
Ramirez seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Ramirez throws a leg kick
and Aladji counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Aladji looks winded!

Aladji has closed the distance and engaged Ramirez in a clinch.
Ramirez is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Aladji to keep the fight standing.
Aladji leaning against his opponent.
Ramirez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Aladji smiles and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aladji shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ramirez napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Ramirez is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Aladji is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ramirez doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Aladji.
Ramirez is trying to maintain the position but Aladji is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abdourahmane Aladji dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ramirez misses with a wild combination.
Aladji throws a head kick but Ramirez moves out of range.
As Aladji tries to get set, Ramirez tries to push him back and clinch up but Aladji manages to avoid the attempt.
Aladji shoots in but no luck this time.

Aladji changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ramirez looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Aladji decides to stand up, so the ref orders Ramirez to his feet.
Aladji has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ramirez pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Aladji feints the counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aladji shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ramirez went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Aladji closes the distance and pushes Ramirez back into the cage.

Aladji breaks from the clinch.

Ramirez closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Aladji kicks Ramirez off and gets back to his feet.
Aladji is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aladji circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ramirez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ramirez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Aladji counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Danilo Ramirez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Aladji drags the fight down to the ground.
Ramirez lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ramirez gets to his feet - Aladji follows without any prompting.
Ramirez lands with a kick to the temple. Aladji shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Aladji stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ramirez.
Ramirez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Aladji counters by moving into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Aladji manages to break the clinch.
Ramirez dodges the punch combination from Aladji.
Aladji shoots in looking for a takedown. Ramirez tries to sprawl out of it but Aladji keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ramirez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
As Aladji tries to get set, Ramirez tries to push him back and clinch up but Aladji manages to avoid the attempt.
Danilo Ramirez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdourahmane Aladji.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aladji tries to keep at a distance but Ramirez has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ramirez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Aladji.
Ramirez can't get the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Aladji keeps control of Ramirez as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ramirez just misses with a elbow thrown towards Aladji's brow.
Aladji fails to pull guard.

Ramirez breaks from the clinch.
Aladji checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Aladji closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Ramirez is staying active underneath Aladji, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ramirez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ramirez controlling the position.
Aladji must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Aladji throws a big right hand that misses.
Ramirez trying to keep a closed guard but Aladji is proving a slippery customer.
Aladji trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ramirez's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Abdourahmane Aladji will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Ramirez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ramirez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Aladji goes for a double leg but Ramirez avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ramirez continues to drive forward.
Ramirez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ramirez stuffs the takedown attempt from Aladji. Aladji gets slowly back to his feet.
Ramirez tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Aladji manages to circle out of the way.

Aladji bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Aladji takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
You can see the frustration on Ramirez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ramirez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Aladji is working away from the top position though.
Ramirez preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Aladji is taking a breather. Ramirez says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Ramirez is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Aladji seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ramirez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Aladji is looking to advance position but Ramirez won't allow it.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Ramirez holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ramirez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ramirez wants it to stay on the feet.
Danilo Ramirez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdourahmane Aladji.
Ramirez fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ramirez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Aladji is fending him off so far but Ramirez persists. Nope, Aladji circles away and we're back to standing.
Aladji misses with a hook. Ramirez ducked under it nicely.
Ramirez wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Aladji enables Ramirez to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Aladji manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aladji is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ramirez wants to get up but he can't break Aladji's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Aladji looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ramirez is one step ahead there.

Ramirez gets to his feet - Aladji follows without any prompting.
Ramirez misses with a few strikes there.
And Aladji tries to counter it with a takedown but Ramirez pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ramirez takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ramirez closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aladji fails with a takedown attempt.
Ramirez pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Aladji gets a takedown into half guard.
Ramirez trying to hold on to Aladji's head to control him but Aladji postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aladji trying to control from Ramirez's half guard. Ramirez has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Danilo Ramirez showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Aladji has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Abdourahmane Aladji!
Abdourahmane Aladji seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.