PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jimmy Navarro (ranked 2241 p4p, 2190 weight class) and Niklas Aho (ranked 302 p4p, 297 weight class). Niklas Aho has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Navarro
vs
Aho

180 cm
25
180
6 - 5 - 0

184 cm
24
177
7 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Powerful

HELLBENT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jimmy Navarro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Niklas Aho!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Ackerman and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aho tries to clinch up but Navarro circles away and keeps his distance.
Aho thows a leg kick but Navarro checks it
and Navarro counters with a stiff right hand.
Aho lands with a kick to the ribs.
Aho moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Aho misses with a kick to the body
enabling Navarro to counter with a crisp jab.
Navarro misses with a body shot.
Aho is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A lazy body kick from Navarro

so Aho counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Aho pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Navarro is keeping the position for now.
Aho trying to control the position from guard on top but Navarro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aho looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aho trying to control the position from guard on top but Navarro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aho's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Aho tries to free his leg and advance position but Navarro is retaining full guard.
Aho is looking to pass into half guard but Navarro pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Navarro is in guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Aho has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Navarro can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Aho wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aho told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

Aho looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Aho trying to keep a closed guard but Navarro is proving a slippery customer.

Aho is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Navarro defends well.
Navarro has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Aho throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Navarro won't allow Aho to sweep him here.

Aho working for a triangle but Navarro defends it easily.
Aho wants to sweep but no luck.

Aho is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Navarro defends well.
Aho keeping full guard, as Navarro tries to pass.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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.

Aho instigates a clinch.

Aho works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Aho trying to control but Navarro is working from the bottom.

Aho postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Navarro is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Aho, into his guard.

Aho isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Navarro stacks Aho on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Navarro!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aho tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Navarro loads up on a big right hand but Aho slips the punch.
Aho is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Aho changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Navarro looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Aho is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Navarro knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Navarro struggling a bit here.
Navarro holds on to Aho's head and controls the position momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Aho has an Americana. Navarro didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Aho is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Aho hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Niklas Aho!