PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between KJ Aldo (ranked 4007 p4p, 2845 weight class) and Destin Craven (ranked 394 p4p, 301 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Aldo
vs
Craven

171 cm
20
157
4 - 3 - 0

172 cm
19
141
2 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, KJ Aldo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Destin Craven!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Donatello Bradman and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Craven throws a right and a left that both miss.
Craven avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Craven throws a low kick, looking for Aldo's leg but Aldo calmly moves out of range.
Craven avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Craven thows a leg kick but Aldo checks it
and Craven takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Aldo takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Destin Craven seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aldo walks into a jab.
Craven with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Craven misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Craven loads up on a big right hand but Aldo slips the punch.
Aldo tries to counter by clinching up but Craven breaks away and moves out of range.
Aldo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Craven.
Craven misses with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Craven looks to throw a body kick
and Aldo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Craven swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Aldo seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Craven misses with a body shot.
Craven just misses with a punch to the body.
Craven misses with an attempted mid kick.
Craven looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Craven pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Craven looking to land some kicks to the body here.
As Craven tries to get set, Aldo tries to push him back and clinch up but Craven manages to avoid the attempt.
Craven tries to work over Aldo's front leg with a kick but Aldo checks it.
A solid body kick from Craven.
Craven pushes Aldo away with a front kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Craven wants to land a leg kick but Aldo is out of range.
Craven lands a two punch combo.
Aldo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Craven misses with a body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Craven looks to land a left hand but Aldo moved out of range nicely.
Aldo wants to clinch up but Craven keeps it at a distance.
Aldo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Craven manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A big left from Craven misses.
Craven shoots in for a double leg but Aldo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Craven thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice defenses there by Aldo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craven throws a body kick that misses
and Aldo counters with a nice uppercut.
Aldo takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Craven throws a body kick that misses.
Aldo tries to close the distance and clinch but Craven swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Aldo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Craven swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Craven scores with a shot to the body.
Aldo defending well as Craven loads up on a big left hand.
Sloppy strikes from Craven. Those never looked like landing.
Craven swats away the attempt to clinch by Aldo.
Aldo doesn't manage to clinch there - Craven circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Craven misses with the body kick

and Aldo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Craven trying to land knees to the body.
Craven's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Craven pulls guard.
Craven has a closed guard, preventing Aldo from standing up.
Aldo has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Craven looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aldo is one step ahead there.

Craven is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aldo pushing down on Craven's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Destin Craven dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Craven throws a series of punches but Aldo moves out of range.
It looked like Aldo was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Aldo slips a jab from Craven.
Aldo wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Destin Craven seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Craven throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Craven scores with a hook to the body. Aldo takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Craven moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Craven fails to pull guard.
Craven has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Craven misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aldo prevents the takedown attempt.
Aldo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Craven has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Aldo misses with a hook from the clinch.
Aldo throws a punch but it's blocked by Craven.
Aldo misses with some punches.
Craven wants to break free but Aldo has control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Craven has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Aldo after a bit of a struggle.
KJ Aldo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Destin Craven.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aldo.
Craven blocking some punches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Aldo digs a right hand into Craven's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Craven's gas tank.

Craven gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Craven lands a couple of digs.
Craven postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Craven scoring with punches to the head and body.

Aldo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Craven doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Craven manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Craven wants to control from the top but Aldo keeps moving.
Aldo knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Craven on the ground.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Craven trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Aldo controls Craven momentarily but Craven frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Craven working some strikes from top position.
Craven with a nice head shot there.

Aldo has his foot on Craven's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Craven works his way back into a safe position though.
Aldo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Craven with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Aldo wants to sweep here but Craven controlling him for the moment.
Craven throws a big right hand that misses.
Craven scoring with punches to the head and body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aldo keeping moving, preventing Craven from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Craven accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Craven throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Aldo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Craven.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craven trying to control the position from guard on top but Aldo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Craven makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Aldo working for a triangle but Craven defends it easily.
Craven passes Aldo's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Craven working the head and body with strikes.
Craven missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Aldo on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Aldo tries to get out of the position.
Craven is looking to advance position but Aldo won't allow it.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Craven connects with a nice short shot to Aldo's temple.

Craven is looking for a kimura but Aldo is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Craven to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aldo actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aldo looks like he's trying to stand up.
Aldo punching from the bottom.
Craven wants to pass the guard but Aldo is defending well.
Craven seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Craven landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Aldo manages to get to full guard.

Craven drops back looking for a leg! Aldo is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Aldo manages to kick Craven off! Craven jumps back into Aldo's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aldo keeping moving, preventing Craven from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Destin Craven showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Aldo blocks the body kick.
Aldo seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Craven.
Aldo moves in looking to clinch but Craven pushes him off.
Craven pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
An inside leg kick lands from Craven.
Craven shoots and misses
and Aldo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aldo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Craven circles away from the clinch attempt.
Craven appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Aldo has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Craven throws a right hand that Aldo ducks under and follows up with a left that Aldo also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Craven misses with a wild body shot.
Craven throws a jab but it's blocked by Aldo.
Craven scores with a kick to the midsection.
Craven lands with a good body shot.
Aldo doesn't manage to clinch there - Craven circles away.
Aldo doesn't manage to clinch there - Craven circles away.
Craven keeps the fight on the outside.
Aldo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Craven manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Craven throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
KJ Aldo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Craven with a jab.
Craven shoots for a double leg takedown but Aldo sprawls well. He's pushed Craven's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
KJ Aldo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Destin Craven.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Craven just misses with a punch to the body.
Aldo is looking to clinch but Craven is avoiding it.

Aldo rushes Craven and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Come on Aldo - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Aldo lands a right hand.
Craven is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Aldo throws a head punch that misses.
Aldo pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Craven breaks from the clinch.

Craven shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aldo is looking for a sweep. Craven is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craven is looking to advance position but Aldo won't allow it.
Craven has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Aldo is looking to improve his position.
Aldo on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Aldo works his way to full guard. Good work.

Aldo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Craven prevents Aldo from getting back to his feet.
Aldo seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Craven drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Craven jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Craven advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aldo slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Craven trying to control but Aldo is working from the bottom.
Craven is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Craven passes into half guard.
Aldo wants to improve his position but Craven is controlling well.
Destin Craven is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Craven is taking a breather. Aldo 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.
Aldo trying to control here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Destin Craven comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Craven winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30

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