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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Aalto (ranked 568 p4p, 755 weight class) and Luke Skywalker (ranked 69 p4p, 93 weight class). Skywalker comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Skywalker Theme kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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| 177 cm
22
149
6 - 0 - 0 |
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168 cm
21
152
5 - 3 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Great low kicks
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Aalto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Luke Skywalker!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Steve Erwin and Francis DeMontford.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick from Aalto is predictable there
enabling Skywalker to counter with a crisp jab.
Good work by Skywalker as he checks the leg kick.
Skywalker throws a jab but it's blocked by Aalto.
An attempted straight right counter from Aalto misses the target.
Aalto scores with a sloppy right hand. Skywalker should have avoided that one.
Aalto throws a low kick but it's checked well by Skywalker.
Aalto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
As Aalto backs off Skywalker throws a huge counter combo but Aalto manages to avoid it all.
Skywalker takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Michael Aalto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good shot there by Aalto.
We've been hearing reports that Aalto has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Aalto slips under a jab.
Aalto throws a low kick, looking for Skywalker's leg but Skywalker calmly moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Skywalker! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aalto throws a leg kick that misses.
Aalto with the inside leg kick.
Skywalker takes a kick to the side of the head.
It looks like Luke Skywalker has been cut.
Aalto throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
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 dives in and scores a takedown into Skywalker's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Skywalker looking for a sweep. Not yet Skywalker, not yet.
Skywalker pulls Aalto in close to his closed guard and prevents Aalto from doing any damage or advancing position.
Aalto trying to control the position from guard on top but Skywalker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Skywalker trying to control the position.
Aalto thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Aalto stops Skywalker from standing up.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
That's two 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.
Skywalker has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Luke Skywalker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Aalto darts in trying to clinch
and Skywalker counters with a two punch combo.
Aalto feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Skywalkers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Skywalker takes a swing at Aalto's ribcage but misses.
Skywalker throws a low kick but it's checked well by Aalto.
Skywalker just misses with a punch to the body.
Aalto throwing a counter right hand but Skywalker manages to avoid it.
Aalto misses the shot to the body.
Aalto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aalto lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Skywalker at a distance.
Aalto clinches up against the cage.
Aalto tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Aalto swings wildly with an uppercut but Skywalker uses good head movement to avoid it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Skywalker gets tackled into the cage by Aalto. Aalto maintains the clinch.
Aalto breaks from the clinch.
Aalto lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Skywalker at a distance.
Aalto has his takedown stuffed
and Skywalker counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Skywalker throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Aalto lands a nice shot that snaps Skywalker's head back.
Aalto throws a chopping leg kick but Skywalker manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Skywalker throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Aalto.
Aalto moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Aalto throws a leg kick but Skywalker moved away.
Skywalker let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Aalto is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aalto misses with a low kick.
An inside leg kick from Aalto misses.
Aalto throws a nice outside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aalto lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Skywalker lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Skywalker will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Skywalker throws a lazy right hand but Aalto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Aalto lands with a nice body punch.
Aalto rushes Skywalker and presses him up against the cage.
Aalto misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Skywalker.
Skywalker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Skywalker takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Michael Aalto dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Luke Skywalker's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Aalto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Aalto throws a leg kick that misses.
Aalto connects with a high kick.
Skywalker throws a right and a left that both miss.
Skywalker looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Skywalker ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aalto moves away.
Aalto scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Aalto plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Aalto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Skywalker! But no joy.
Aalto throws a head kick that Skywalker semi-blocks.
Michael Aalto is winning the standup battle so far.
Aalto throws a leg kick but Skywalker sees it coming and moves out of range.
Aalto takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A nice inside leg kick there by Aalto. That's going to slow Skywalker down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aalto tried to score with a low kick but Skywalker checks it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Skywalker! But no joy.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto wants to clinch.
Aalto lunges at Skywalker with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Skywalker's hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Skywalker. Aalto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Skywalker blocks a head kick by Aalto.
It seemed like Skywalker was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A big left from Skywalker misses.
Aalto lands a nice leg kick that just misses Skywalker's sensitive parts.
A nice leg kick lands there from Aalto.
Aalto moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Skywalker misses with a straight left.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Skywalker fails to land with a series of punches.
Aalto lands a leg kick that knocks Skywalker off balance momentarily.
A head kick by Aalto misses
and Skywalker counters with a left to the body.
Skywalker keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Skywalker shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Skywalker's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aalto moves forwards but Skywalker connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Aalto throws a lazy uppercut
and Skywalker connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Aalto lands with a good body shot.
Skywalker takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Aalto lands with a slapping head kick.
Skywalker tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Aalto fails with a takedown attempt.
Skywalker swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aalto ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Aalto avoids the body shot from Skywalker.
Skywalker blocks a head kick by Aalto.
Aalto checks a leg kick.
A punch combination from Skywalker misses.
Aalto misses with a low kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Aalto darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Aalto takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Aalto throws a front kick aimed at Skywalker's knee but Skywalker avoids it well.
Despite the aggression on Skywalker's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Aalto walks into a straight right hand from Skywalker.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aalto misses with a wild body shot.
Decent striking displayed by Skywalker there.
Aalto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Skywalker.
Aalto cracks a nice hook into Skywalker's ribs.
Skywalker throws a poor cross that misses
and Aalto counters with a left to the body.
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 uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Skywalker.
Good standup being displayed there by Aalto as he connects with a hook.
Good exchange - Aalto coming out on top.
A jab from Aalto misses.
Aalto drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Skywalker chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Aalto can pounce on him.
Aalto staying out of range there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Michael Aalto dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Luke Skywalker's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Aalto with a jab.
Aalto delivers a nice body kick.
Skywalker drops his hands momentarily and Aalto takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Aalto lands a glancing blow to the side of Skywalker's head.
Aalto slips under a jab from Skywalker.
A nice leg kick lands there from Aalto.
Aalto throws a good cross that connects.
Skywalker jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Aalto throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Skywalker's head.
Skywalker misses with a straight left.
Aalto sizes up Skywalker with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
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!
A swing and a miss from Skywalker.
Skywalker takes one to the chin there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Skywalker counters with a right hand to the body.
Aalto defending well as Skywalker loads up on a big left hand.
Aalto looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Aalto looks to land a right hand but Skywalker moved out of range.
Aalto swings for the body but Skywalker moves out of range.
Aalto takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Skywalker throws a lazy right hand but Aalto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Aalto throws a leg kick but Skywalker sees it coming and moves out of range.
Skywalker throws a series of strikes that have Aalto backpedaling.
Aalto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Skywalker can do to turn this around?
Aalto fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Skywalker has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Aalto throws a head kick that misses.
Skywalker scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Aalto lands with a slapping head kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aalto takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Aalto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Aalto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Aalto throws a low kick but Skywalker moves out of range easily.
Aalto misses the body punch
and Skywalker cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Skywalker moves out of range of the strikes.
Skywalker throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Aalto looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A nice inside leg kick there by Aalto. That's going to slow Skywalker down.
Skywalker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Aalto wants to clinch up but Skywalker keeps it at a distance.
Aalto looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aalto lands a glancing blow to the side of Skywalker's head.
Jab from Aalto.
Aalto takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Skywalker uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Aalto.
Skywalker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Skywalker tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Skywalker throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Skywalker on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Aalto. Aalto obviously looking to wear him down.
Aalto tries for a takedown but Skywalker circles away easily
and Skywalker cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Skywalker moves out of range of the strikes.
Aalto blocks a jab.
Aalto tried to counter with a leg kick but Skywalker avoided it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker jabs at Aalto's body.
Aalto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It seemed like Skywalker was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Aalto misses with a jab to the body
and Skywalker counters with a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aalto tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Skywalker defends well and Aalto ends up having to push Skywalker into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Skywalker blocking some punches.
Skywalker is trying to push Aalto away but Aalto has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Aalto misses with a punch on the inside.
Aalto throws a punch but it's blocked by Skywalker.
Aalto lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Aalto working aggressively here.
Aalto blocks a body shot from Skywalker.
Skywalker is pressed up against the cage. Aalto has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Skywalker down to the mat. Skywalker avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Aalto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aalto swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Aalto defending well as Skywalker loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd cheers as Aalto lands an impressive looking overhand right. Skywalker doesn't seem phased though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Michael Aalto clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Luke Skywalker's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Aalto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Skywalker has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Aalto.
Aalto takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Skywalker. Aalto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aalto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Skywalker.
Aalto closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A nice leg kick lands there from Aalto.
Skywalker misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Aalto manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Skywalker on his heels. He'll look to pass Skywalker's guard now, I'm sure.
Skywalker wants to stand but Aalto is controlling the position.
Aalto is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Aalto thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Skywalker is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Skywalker keeping moving, preventing Aalto from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Skywalker is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Aalto drops back looking for a leg! Skywalker is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Skywalker manages to kick Aalto off! Aalto jumps back into Skywalker's guard.
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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Skywalker is on top in guard.
Skywalker controls from within his opponent's guard.
Aalto looking to hit a scissor sweep but Skywalker is one step ahead there.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Aalto connects with an inside leg kick.
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.
Aalto swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Aalto lets loose with a powerful body kick. Skywalker will feel that in the morning.
Aalto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Skywalker slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Aalto with the inside leg kick.
Skywalker blocks a head kick by Aalto.
Aalto lands with a good body shot.
Aalto swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Skywalker.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
An inside leg kick lands from Aalto.
Aalto ducks right into an uppercut from Skywalker.
Aalto throws a leg kick but Skywalker sees it coming and checks it nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Michael Aalto had his way with Luke Skywalker in that round.
The cut man is working on Luke Skywalker's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!
Skywalker falls off balance throwing a combination
and Aalto cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A jab lands there for Aalto.
Aalto paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Aalto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Skywalker throws out the jab.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Skywalker lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Aalto has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Aalto and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Skywalker throws a big shot that misses.
Skywalker scores with a sloppy right hand. Aalto should have avoided that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aalto closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Skywalker to the mat! Skywalker manages to get full guard.
Skywalker wants to sweep but no luck.
Aalto postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Skywalker is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Aalto, into his guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Skywalker wants to control from the top but Aalto keeps moving.
Skywalker is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Aalto bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Skywalker's guard.
Skywalker 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.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Skywalker is trying to keep Aalto in close.
Aalto wants to control from the top but Skywalker keeps moving.
Aalto drops back, looking for a kneebar! Skywalker looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Skywalker looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Skywalker!
Aalto tries to bench press Skywalker off him but Skywalker keeps the position.
Skywalker trying to control the action but Aalto is working from the bottom.
Skywalker really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Aalto. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker laying and praying for a moment but Aalto takes advantage and regains half guard.
Skywalker prevents Aalto from improving his position.
Still in half guard, Skywalker seems content to control.
Michael Aalto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Aalto gets back to full guard.
Luke Skywalker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Skywalker 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.
Aalto keeping moving, preventing Skywalker from controlling successfully.
Skywalker postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Aalto pulls Skywalker in close to his closed guard and prevents Skywalker from doing any damage or advancing position.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
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 Michael Aalto.
Well Aalto has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 50:45
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 50:45
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 50:45
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Aalto!
Michael Aalto retains his featherweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Michael Aalto thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
In defeat, Luke Skywalker stepped up to the mic, saying 'I am saddened by this defeat, but I learned a lot from the wise Master Yoda.
The greatest teacher, failure is.
May the force be with you!'.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
55% |
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