PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jab Buckeye (ranked 2280 p4p, 285 weight class) and Aarro Vainio (ranked 4040 p4p, 447 weight class). Buckeye comes to the cage accompanied by Right above it lil Wayne . Aarro Vainio will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Buckeye
vs
Vainio

184 cm
21
196 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

192 cm
27
195 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jab Buckeye!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aarro Vainio!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Buckeye shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Vainio as he avoids it easily.
Buckeye with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Vainio tries to close the distance and clinch up but Buckeye swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Vainio gets caught napping as Buckeye dives in and scores a takedown. Vainio manages to retain guard.
Buckeye engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Buckeye drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Vainio dives on top into guard.

Vainio wants to stand but Buckeye is controlling his posture from full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Buckeye working for a triangle but Vainio defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Buckeye has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vainio can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Buckeye is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
I've been told that Vainio has been drilling his wrestling of late, which has already helped him take this fight to the mat. Let's see how much of an impact it has on the outcome of the ground game.
Vainio trying to control the position from guard on top but Buckeye is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vainio would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Vainio stopping the sweep attempt from Buckeye.
Vainio has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Buckeye is proving hard to escape from.
Buckeye manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Vainio manages to get himself to full guard.

Buckeye postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Vainio is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Buckeye, into his guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Buckeye holds on and takes a little breather.

Buckeye looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Buckeye had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vainio defends it easily.

Buckeye has his foot on Vainio's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Vainio works his way back into a safe position though.
Vainio trying to control but Buckeye is working from the bottom.
Buckeye wants to sweep here but Vainio controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Buckeye fails with the takedown.
Jab Buckeye seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Buckeye. Vainio does a little dance to reset his feet.
Despite the aggression on Vainio's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Buckeye misses the shot to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Vainio! But no joy.
Buckeye jabs Vainio right on the nose. Vainio blinks but takes it well.
Buckeye fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jab Buckeye. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Buckeye misses with a double jab
and Vainio counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Vainio defending well as Buckeye loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Vainio gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Buckeye to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Buckeye controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jab Buckeye dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Buckeye takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Vainio gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Buckeye throwing strikes but missing.
Buckeye throws a big elbow that misses.
Buckeye trying to control but Vainio is working from the bottom.
Buckeye postures up in Vainio's guard and throws a big left but Vainio blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vainio keeping full guard, as Buckeye tries to pass.
Buckeye controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buckeye trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Vainio is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Buckeye is controlling him.
Buckeye is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vainio can do to turn this around?

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Buckeye looks for a takedown but Vainio sprawls well.
Buckeye fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Vainio avoids it really well and circles away.

Buckeye has closed the distance and engaged Vainio in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Buckeye.
Vainio pushes off an throws an elbow but Buckeye leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Buckeye is trying to drag Vainio to the mat but Vainio just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jab Buckeye. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Buckeye changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Vainio fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Buckeye cracks Vainio with a good jab.
Vainio lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Jab Buckeye has been cut.
Buckeye throws the left hand but Vainio avoids the punch easily.
Vainio fails with an attempt to clinch.
Vainio is looking to clinch but Buckeye is avoiding it.
Buckeye appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Buckeye shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vainio defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buckeye misses with a jab to the body
and Vainio counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Vainio gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Buckeye throws a big elbow that misses.
Buckeye trying to control the position from guard on top but Vainio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Buckeye working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Buckeye won't allow Vainio to get back to his feet.
Buckeye lands a couple of elbows.
Jab Buckeye overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vainio avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buckeye trying to control but Vainio is working from the bottom.
Buckeye pushes down on Vainio's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Buckeye wants to take a breather but Vainio is having none of it.
Buckeye is really struggling to control Vainio but he's trying to hold on to the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Buckeye uses his free foot to push down on Vainio's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Vainio.
Buckeye landing strikes, looking to finish!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jab Buckeye dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jab Buckeye's cut.
That's time! Buckeye's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Buckeye connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Vainio tries to clinch but Buckeye moves out of range.
Buckeye changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Vainio connects with a leg kick. Buckeye looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Buckeye is looking to clinch.
Vainio unleashes a big counter combination but Buckeye bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Buckeye misses with a two punch combination.
Vainio leaves Buckeye with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Buckeye closes this distance looking for a takedown but Vainio circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Buckeye is defended easily by Vainio.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jab Buckeye. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buckeye tries for a takedown but Vainio sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Buckeye fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buckeye shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Vainio as he avoids it easily.
Vainio connects with a solid leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vainio looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vainio lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Vainio fails with an attempt to clinch.
Vainio misses with a double jab.
Vainio stuffs the takedown.
Vainio swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Buckeye closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Vainio quickly recovers to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vainio is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Buckeye scores with a couple of nice shots.
Vainio is refusing to be controlled, as Buckeye sits in half guard.
Buckeye prevents Vainio from standing back up.
Buckeye is nestled in close to Vainio, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Vainio is not content to let Buckeye control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Vainio can do anything to dispel that myth.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Buckeye looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Vainio is looking to control Buckeye's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Vainio avoid being mounted?
Buckeye sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buckeye is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Buckeye stops Vainio from getting back to his feet.
Buckeye sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Vainio defending well though.
Vainio regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Buckeye.
Buckeye throws a big elbow that misses.
Vainio really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Buckeye. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Buckeye content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Buckeye content to stall in guard here.
Buckeye scoring with some ground and pound.
Vainio wants to get back to his feet but Buckeye is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Buckeye with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jab Buckeye is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Buckeye is looking to work some ground and pound but Vainio has wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Buckeye lands a nice looking body shot.
Aarro Vainio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vainio leaves Buckeye with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Vainio is looking for the big counter here.

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 Jab Buckeye.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Buckeye, 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jab Buckeye!
In his post fight interview, Jab Buckeye started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.