PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Brady Jean Baptiste (ranked 161 p4p, 362 weight class) and Michael Aalto (ranked 15 p4p, 38 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Jean Baptiste
vs
Aalto

174 cm
23
145
10 - 1 - 1

177 cm
24
149
10 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
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 10 - 1 - 1, fighting out of London, Brady Jean Baptiste!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Aalto!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Chris Dean and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aalto tries a low kick but Jean Baptiste avoids it.
Aalto lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Jean Baptiste misses with a straight right.
Jean Baptiste ducks under a wild hook from Aalto.
Aalto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aalto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jean Baptiste takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Jean Baptiste misses the body punch
and Aalto counters with a nice leg kick.
Aalto tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jean Baptiste swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jean Baptiste shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Aalto looks like he wants to counter punch here.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Aalto has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Aalto uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Jean Baptiste.

Jean Baptiste moves into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Aalto.
Aalto blocks a body shot from Jean Baptiste.
Aalto throws a punch but it's blocked by Jean Baptiste.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Jean Baptiste.
Jean Baptiste throws a head punch that misses.
Jean Baptiste tries to work over Aalto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jean Baptiste throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Aaltos head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aalto lands a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto lands an uppercut.
Jean Baptiste pushes Aalto back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Aalto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jean Baptiste working aggressively here.
Jean Baptiste has a couple of punches blocked by Aalto.
Jean Baptiste scores with a nice hook to the head.
Aalto pushes Jean Baptiste back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jean Baptiste prevents a takedown attempt there.

Aalto is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Jean Baptiste can't fight it off and eventually Aalto manages to take the fight to the floor. Jean Baptiste looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Aalto looking to pass the guard.
Jean Baptiste wants to sweep here but Aalto controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aalto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jean Baptiste 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.
Jean Baptiste controlling the position.
Aalto looking to pass the guard.
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!
Jean Baptiste is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Dr Hatsumi's Clinic that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Aalto passes Jean Baptiste's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Jean Baptiste looks like he's trying to stand up.
Aalto passes to side control.
Jean Baptiste stops Aalto from passing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Aalto advances nicely into full mount.

Aalto jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Jean Baptiste is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Jean Baptiste and Aalto has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Jean Baptiste can't do much from the bottom here.
Aalto tries to move into full mount but can't pass Jean Baptiste's legs.
Jean Baptiste is looking to reverse the position.

Aalto wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Jean Baptiste, who protects the arm well.

Aalto goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Jean Baptiste rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Aalto's guard! Nice work there by Jean Baptiste!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jean Baptiste preventing the sweep.
Aalto is still trying to improve position.
Aalto lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Aalto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jean Baptiste is keeping the position for now.
Aalto is pushing down on Jean Baptiste's leg trying to pass to half guard. Jean Baptiste is fighting to maintain full guard but Aalto has managed to sneak the leg through.

Aalto is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Jean Baptiste has managed to free his arm - good work.

Aalto wants to work for an arm triangle but Jean Baptiste is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Aalto is trying to work for a kimura but Jean Baptiste is defending well.
Jean Baptiste wants to control but Aalto is keeping busy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Aalto dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jean Baptiste lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Jean Baptiste lands with a kick to the ribs.
Jean Baptiste misses the shot to the body.
Jean Baptiste connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Aalto momentarily.
Aalto finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Jean Baptiste tests Aalto's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jean Baptiste connects with a leg kick.
Aalto takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Jean Baptiste ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aalto moves away.
Aalto wants to slow Jean Baptiste down by chopping away at his legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jean Baptiste fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Aalto looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Aalto throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jean Baptiste throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Aalto appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Aalto throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aalto buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Jean Baptiste ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Jean Baptiste's head.
Good shot there by Aalto.
Jean Baptiste lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Jean Baptiste displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Aalto throws out the jab.
Nice jab there from Aalto.
Aalto throws out a loose jab but Jean Baptiste uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aalto delivers a nice body kick.
Jean Baptiste turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Brady Jean Baptiste is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Aalto throws a leg kick that is checked
and Jean Baptiste counters with a straight right hand.
A nice leg kick lands there from Jean Baptiste.
A low kick from Aalto is predictable there
and Jean Baptiste connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fight stays on the outside here - Aalto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jean Baptiste was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Aalto shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Jean Baptiste manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Aalto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jean Baptiste is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jean Baptiste seems keen to control Aalto's posture.
Jean Baptiste looking to control.
Aalto works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Jean Baptiste is trying to get back to full guard.
Michael Aalto has got the better of the ground game so far.

Aalto is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Jean Baptiste defends it well.
Aalto trying to mount his opponent but Jean Baptiste defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aalto is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Jean Baptiste doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Aalto.

Aalto is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Jean Baptiste has managed to free his arm - good work.
Jean Baptiste gets back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jean Baptiste looking for a sweep. Not yet Jean Baptiste, not yet.
Aalto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Aalto postures up.
Aalto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Jean Baptiste looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aalto passes Jean Baptiste's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Jean Baptiste wants to control but Aalto is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Aalto has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Aalto wants to take Jean Baptiste's back but he can't do it this time.
Jean Baptiste is wriggling around trying to escape.

Aalto moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Jean Baptiste has worked his arm free - good work by Jean Baptiste!
Aalto tries to move to mount but Jean Baptiste blocks the move with his legs.
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 Brady Jean Baptiste will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Aalto throws a low kick, looking for Jean Baptiste's leg but Jean Baptiste calmly moves out of range.
Jean Baptiste comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Aalto tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Jean Baptiste defends well and Aalto ends up having to push Jean Baptiste into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Aalto takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A big left from Jean Baptiste misses.
Aalto lands a jab to the nose.
Nice body kick there by Jean Baptiste.
Aalto with a poor takedown
and Jean Baptiste counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Jean Baptiste throws a hook but Aalto blocks it.
Jean Baptiste sizes up Aalto with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Jean Baptiste lands a jab to the nose.
Jean Baptiste walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Michael Aalto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jean Baptiste catches Aalto with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Jean Baptiste uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Aalto.
Jean Baptiste half committed to a counter leg kick.
Aalto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Jean Baptiste ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Jean Baptiste blocks a head kick by Aalto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto cracks Jean Baptiste with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Jean Baptiste scores with a jab to the head.
Jean Baptiste throws a push kick but Aalto slaps the foot to one side.
Jean Baptiste jabs Aalto to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Aalto misses with a wild body shot.
Aalto uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Jean Baptiste has time to react.
Aalto drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Jean Baptiste throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Aalto on the side of the head.
Jean Baptiste has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Aalto.
Aalto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Jean Baptiste swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aalto throws out a loose jab but Jean Baptiste uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jean Baptiste lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jean Baptiste with a nice calf kick.
Aalto fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Aalto rushes Jean Baptiste and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jean Baptiste misses with a punch to the body.
Jean Baptiste tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jean Baptiste misses with a hook to the ribs.
Aalto tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Aalto blocks an uppercut.

Aalto gets control of Jean Baptiste's arms and successfully pulls guard. Aalto will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Jean Baptiste slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Aalto escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jean Baptiste gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Aalto has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Jean Baptiste is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Aalto.
Aalto is looking to reverse the position.
Aalto manages to work his way to half guard, despite Jean Baptiste's best efforts.
Aalto wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jean Baptiste is controlling the pace.
Aalto is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Jean Baptiste's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Jean Baptiste's back!
Well, with Aalto on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Jean Baptiste is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Jean Baptiste is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Jean Baptiste defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Aalto's arms.
Jean Baptiste tries to escape but Aalto has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Jean Baptiste holding on to Aalto's left wrist, preventing the choke.

Aalto is looking for the choke from the back position but Jean Baptiste is controlling his hands well.

Aalto patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jean Baptiste can't escape the position.

Jean Baptiste defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Aalto working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Jean Baptiste trying to control the hands but Aalto won't let him.
Jean Baptiste tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Aalto moves to his opponent's back but Jean Baptiste bucks him off and ends up in guard. A bit of a disaster there for Aalto.
Aalto wants to sweep here but Jean Baptiste controlling him for the moment.
Jean Baptiste pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Aalto is keeping the position for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Brady Jean Baptiste did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Jean Baptiste blocks a low kick nicely.
Aalto goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Aalto checks a leg kick.
Jean Baptiste connects with a high kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Aalto.
Jean Baptiste's corner calls for a 1-2. Jean Baptiste obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Aalto lands a nice leg kick that just misses Jean Baptiste's sensitive parts.
Brady Jean Baptiste is winning the standup battle so far.
Aalto throws the kick towards the body but Jean Baptiste avoids it.
Jab, jab by Jean Baptiste - just one landing.
Aalto takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Jean Baptiste looks to throw the jab but Aalto is out of range.
Aalto misses with a hook. Jean Baptiste ducked under it nicely.
Jean Baptiste is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Aalto.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jean Baptiste misses with a body kick.
Aalto flicks out a counter leg kick but Jean Baptiste steps away.
Jean Baptiste ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aalto moves away.
Aalto flicks out a counter leg kick but Jean Baptiste steps away.
Aalto connects with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto is looking to chop away at Jean Baptiste's legs.
Aalto throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Jean Baptiste throws a body shot but no joy.
Jean Baptiste displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Aalto throws out the jab.
Aalto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jean Baptiste throws out the jab.
Jean Baptiste throws a jab but it's blocked by Aalto.
Aalto looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Jean Baptiste has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Jean Baptiste there as he acknowledges the shot.
Jean Baptiste connects with a jab.
Aalto misses with the body kick
and Jean Baptiste connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Jean Baptiste lands with a straight right. Aalto didn't see that one coming.
Aalto walks into a stiff left hand from Jean Baptiste.
Jean Baptiste cracks a nice hook into Aalto's ribs.
A nice leg kick lands there from Jean Baptiste.
Aalto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jean Baptiste paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jean Baptiste lands a jab to Aalto's midsection.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aalto thows a leg kick but Jean Baptiste checks it
and Jean Baptiste counters with a low kick, right behind Aalto 's knee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jean Baptiste swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aalto is looking to score with low kicks.
Jean Baptiste moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Aalto explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Aalto swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Jean Baptiste.
Jean Baptiste avoids the body shot from Aalto.
Decent striking displayed by Jean Baptiste there.
Jean Baptiste avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Aalto scores with a hook.
Jean Baptiste feints and then cracks Aalto's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Aalto down.
A big left from Aalto misses.
Aalto tests Jean Baptiste's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Aalto's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Aalto tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jean Baptiste manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jean Baptiste throws a leg kick but Aalto sees it coming and moves out of range.
Jean Baptiste loads up on a big right hand but Aalto slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jean Baptiste scoring well with a low kick there.
Aalto lands a head kick!
Jean Baptiste looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Jean Baptiste misses with an attempted mid kick.
Jean Baptiste scores with a jab to the jaw.
Jean Baptiste misses with a body kick.
Aalto connects with a looping right hand.
Jean Baptiste smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Aalto on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Jean Baptiste takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A leg kick checked by Aalto.
Jean Baptiste throws a big shot that misses.
Aalto slips under a jab.
Aalto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Michael Aalto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Aalto drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Aalto has hold of Jean Baptiste's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Jean Baptiste tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Aalto cranks the arm and Jean Baptiste screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Jean Baptiste, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:21 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Michael Aalto!
Michael Aalto is the new featherweight champion!
A relieved looking Michael Aalto thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.