PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Aalto (ranked 166 p4p, 530 weight class) and Magnificent Chulalongkorn (ranked 16 p4p, 56 weight class). Chulalongkorn is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Yellow Claw & The Opposites - Thunder. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Aalto
vs
Chulalongkorn

177 cm
24
149
11 - 1 - 0

163 cm
25
144
11 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Savage Fightwear
Altitude Clothing

Voodoo Nutrition

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 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Aalto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Magnificent Chulalongkorn!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, John Mangel and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Chulalongkorn gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Chulalongkorn tries to throw a body punch but Aalto avoids it by throwing Chulalongkorn back against the cage.
Chulalongkorn throws a punch but it's blocked by Aalto.
Aalto throws a head punch that misses.
Aalto drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aalto is trying to stall.
A short uppercut from Chulalongkorn.
Chulalongkorn tries to work over Aalto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Chulalongkorn fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Aalto has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Aalto has picked Chulalongkorn up - he's going for a ride! Aalto dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Aalto is looking to take a break and control but Chulalongkorn is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Chulalongkorn looking for submissions off his back.
Aalto is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Aalto looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chulalongkorn working a defensive guard here.

Chulalongkorn is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aalto trying to move into half guard but instead Chulalongkorn has managed to sweep!

Aalto wants to sweep but no luck.
Chulalongkorn trying to control the position from guard on top but Aalto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Chulalongkorn is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Aalto is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Aalto has escaped and now he's on top!

Aalto wants to pass the guard but Chulalongkorn is keeping the position.

Chulalongkorn has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Aalto can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Aalto will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chulalongkorn working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Aalto doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Aalto manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Chulalongkorn keeping moving, preventing Aalto from controlling successfully.

Chulalongkorn is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Aalto defends well.
Aalto wants to pass the guard but Chulalongkorn is keeping the position.
Our spies down at at The Grind inform us that Chulalongkorn has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Aalto is working hard here to advance position.

Aalto has gone for a leg lock! Chulalongkorn slips out almost immediately though and dives into Aalto's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aalto wants to sweep but no luck.
Aalto being controlled here, momentarily.
Aalto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Aalto keeping moving, preventing Chulalongkorn from controlling successfully.
Chulalongkorn won't allow Aalto to sweep him here.
Aalto keeping moving, preventing Chulalongkorn from controlling successfully.
Aalto wants to sweep here but Chulalongkorn controlling him for the moment.

Chulalongkorn got a little sloppy there for a moment and Aalto has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Chulalongkorn has managed to get both his arms back between Aalto's legs - danger averted.

That's four 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 tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Chulalongkorn is stalling in the full guard.
Chulalongkorn passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Aalto tries to bench press Chulalongkorn off him but Chulalongkorn keeps the position.

Chulalongkorn is trying to get an arm triangle but Aalto is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Chulalongkorn in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Aalto is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Magnificent Chulalongkorn!
Magnificent Chulalongkorn is the new featherweight champion!
Magnificent Chulalongkorn decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.