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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Aalto (ranked 325 p4p, 704 weight class) and Jake Drake (ranked 45 p4p, 86 weight class). Drake comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Lose Yourself kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!
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| 177 cm
23
149
8 - 0 - 0 |
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175 cm
23
150
8 - 1 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Good gas tank |
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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 8 - 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 8 - 1 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jake Drake!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, John Mangel and Chris Dean.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drake bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Drake trying to control the action but Aalto is working from the bottom.
Aalto on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Aalto is trying to get back to half guard.
Drake lands an elbow.
Aalto is looking to reverse the position.
Aalto is working hard here to advance position.
Drake wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aalto keeps working.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aalto sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Drake not doing much here.
Drake sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Aalto defending well though.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Aalto.
Aalto wants to sweep but no luck.
Drake wants to control from the top but Aalto keeps moving.
Drake pushes down on Aalto's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Aalto manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Aalto is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Drake scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drake trying to control but Aalto is working from the bottom.
Aalto bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Drake's guard.
Drake bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Aalto's guard.
Drake slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Aalto is trying to improve his position.
Aalto gets back to half guard.
Aalto moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Drake trying to control the position from guard on top but Aalto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Drake landing with the ground and pound.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aalto keeping moving, preventing Drake from controlling successfully.
Aalto bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Drake's guard.
Drake keeping full guard, as Aalto tries to pass.
Aalto sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Drake's guard.
Aalto is looking for a kimura but Drake is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Aalto to get the leverage.
The fighters are battling for position here. Drake manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Aalto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Aalto passes easily into side control. Nice work.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aalto goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Drake rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Aalto's guard! Nice work there by Drake!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aalto lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Aalto trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Drake manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Drake throwing strikes from guard but Aalto blocks nicely.
Aalto is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aalto looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Jake Drake will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.
No luck for Drake with that takedown attempt.
Drake shoots in for a takedown but Aalto shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Drake doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Aalto counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Michael Aalto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Drake.
Aalto misses with a leg kick.
Aalto lands with a kick to the temple. Drake shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Drake shoots in and drives through. Aalto sprawls well.
Nice sprawl there from Drake as Aalto shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drake shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Drake keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Aalto's head.
Aalto looking for a guillotine here but Drake defends easily.
Aalto had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Drake defends it easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Drake's guard.
Drake trying to keep a closed guard but Aalto is proving a slippery customer.
Aalto forces his way into half guard.
Drake works his way to full guard. Good work.
Aalto slips nicely into half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aalto wants to pass to mount but Drake is defending the position.
Aalto uses his free foot to push down on Drake's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Drake.
Aalto swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Drake is now in Aalto's guard. A big mistake from Aalto there, giving up the dominant position!
Aalto looking to hit a scissor sweep but Drake is one step ahead there.
Drake passes into half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aalto works his way to full guard. Good work.
Drake wants to control from the top but Aalto keeps moving.
Drake preventing the sweep.
Aalto working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Drake.
Aalto working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Drake doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Drake manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Drake connects with a couple of short punches.
Drake trying to control the position from guard on top but Aalto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aalto working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Drake doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Drake manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Aalto looking for a sweep. Not yet Aalto, not yet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aalto keeping moving, preventing Drake from controlling successfully.
Drake might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Aalto haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Aalto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Aalto working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Drake has passed into half guard!
Aalto is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Drake seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Michael Aalto will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Drake fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Aalto avoids it really well and circles away.
Aalto throws a quick counter head kick but Drake was just out of range.
Drake shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Aalto as he jumps to the side.
Drake tries to score a power double leg takedown but Aalto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Drake somewhat.
Aalto looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Michael Aalto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Drake.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drake dives in for a single leg takedown but Aalto sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Drake shoots and misses
and Aalto counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Drake drives through with a takedown into Aalto's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Aalto bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Drake's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Drake wants to improve his position but instead Aalto has moved into half guard.
Aalto wants to pass the guard but Drake is defending well.
Aalto works his foot free and advances to mount.
Drake wants to hold on but Aalto pushes him away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drake is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Drake is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Aalto is trying to take his opponent's back.
Drake has given up his back here.
Aalto working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Aalto tightening his grip on Drake, looking for the choke.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aalto is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Drake is defending well though. Aalto let's go of the attempt for now.
Aalto has got his arm under Drake's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Drake has spun round into Aalto's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Aalto manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Drake manages to get himself to full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aalto wants to pass the guard but Drake is keeping the position.
Drake working for submissions but it's allowed Aalto to get to half guard.
Aalto trying to mount his opponent but Drake defends it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Aalto is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Michael Aalto clearly takes that round.
That's time! Aalto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Drake fails with a takedown attempt.
Aalto throws a quick counter head kick but Drake was just out of range.
Drake misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Aalto is looking to counter punch.
Drake shoots in but no luck this time.
Michael Aalto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Drake.
Drake misses the jab.
Drake fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drake blocks a jab.
Drake shoots in and bounces Aalto off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Aalto looking for a guillotine here but Drake defends easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Drake with a nice head shot there.
Aalto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jake Drake has got the better of the ground game so far.
Drake with a nice head shot there.
Aalto looking to hit a scissor sweep but Drake is one step ahead there.
Drake controlling from the top position.
Drake sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Aalto'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.
Aalto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Drake working Aalto over with strikes.
Drake keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Drake sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Aalto defending well though.
Ground and pound from Drake.
Drake is working for a submission of some sort.
Drake wants to take a breather but Aalto is having none of it.
Aalto slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aalto has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Drake can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Drake scoring with punches to the head and body.
Aalto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Aalto has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Drake has passed into side control.
Drake working the head with strikes.
Drake is looking to take a break and control but Aalto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Drake is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Aalto's shoulder. That is not cool.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drake lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Aalto down.
Drake wants to control but Aalto is keeping him busy.
Drake tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Aalto gets back to half guard.
Aalto actively working from the bottom here.
Drake is nestled in close to Aalto, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Drake misses with a head shot. Aalto uses the momentum to regain guard.
Drake passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aalto is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Drake's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Jake Drake dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
A jab from Drake misses.
Drake shoots for a double leg takedown but Aalto sprawls well. He's pushed Drake's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Aalto fires out a quick counter leg kick but Drake just manages to avoid it.
Aalto displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Drake.
Drake uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Aalto has time to react.
Drake closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Aalto makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Aalto.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aalto looking for a sweep. Not yet Aalto, not yet.
Drake chips away with some ground and pound.
Drake lands a couple of digs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Drake trying to control but Aalto is working from the bottom.
Drake stopping the sweep attempt from Aalto.
Drake advances to half guard.
Aalto moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Drake stands and throws Aalto's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Aalto is trying to get back to half guard.
Aalto gets back to half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drake prevents Aalto from improving his position.
Drake is nestled in close to Aalto, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Drake sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Aalto manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Aalto looking for a sweep. Not yet Aalto, not yet.
Aalto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Drake is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Aalto is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Drake has his hands clasped together but Aalto extends and breaks Drake's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Aalto.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Michael Aalto!
Michael Aalto retains his featherweight title!
After winning the bout, Michael Aalto thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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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
45% |
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