PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Karl Hermann (ranked 736 p4p, 708 weight class) and Michael Aalto (ranked 89 p4p, 84 weight class). Michael Aalto acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Hermann
vs
Aalto

173 cm
33
145
22 - 10 - 0

177 cm
28
149
15 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Karl Hermann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Aalto!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yukihiro Shimada and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hermann throws a body punch but Aalto moves out of range.
Aalto throws a big counter head kick but Hermann avoids it with no problem.
Aalto uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hermann.
Aalto appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Karl Hermann seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aalto slips a jab from Hermann.
Aalto throws a fast counter high kick but Hermann manages to duck under it in time.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hermann. Aalto does a little dance to reset his feet.
A slow jab from Hermann misses its intended target.
Hermann pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Aalto takes one on the button.
Hermann throws a hook to the side of Aalto's head but Aalto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hermann smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Aalto has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Aalto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hermann throws a lazy uppercut
and Aalto connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aalto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hermann.
Hermann loads up on a big right hand but Aalto slips the punch.
Aalto raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
A left lands for Hermann.

Hermann closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hermann blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Hermann.
Aalto fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Aalto blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hermann.
Hermann fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hermann blocks an uppercut.
Aalto can't get the takedown.
Aalto tries to pull guard but Hermann forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Aalto working aggressively here.
Aalto scores with a nice hook to the head.
Aalto lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hermann backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hermann.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hermann.
A nice left hand lands by Hermann.
Aalto misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hermann makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Aalto takes a shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aalto throws a punch but it's blocked by Hermann.
Hermann lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aalto.
Hermann lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hermann lands a hook that snaps the head of Aalto backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Aalto fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aalto lands a hook that snaps the head of Hermann backwards.
Aalto lands with a light punch inside.
Hermann misses with the head strike.
Hermann lands a left hand.
Aalto drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Karl Hermann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Aalto.
Aalto scores with a hook to the body.
Aalto throws a punch but it's blocked by Hermann.
Aalto tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Aalto misses with a punch to the body.
Hermann pressing his opponent against the cage.

Hermann breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Aalto tries to bum rush Hermann with a series of wild strikes but Hermann uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Aalto checks the leg kick nicely there.
Aalto throws a big counter head kick but Hermann avoids it with no problem.
Hermann misses with a hook
and Aalto counters with a nice kick to the body.
Aalto slips a straight right by Hermann.
Hermann throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Aalto connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermann throws a lazy right hand but Aalto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Aalto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hermann.
Aalto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hermann.
Hermann throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Aalto appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Hermann digs a good body shot into Aalto's ribs.
Hermann waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aalto.
Aalto shapes to counter with a head kick.
Aalto tries a head kick but it misses.
Aalto defending well as Hermann loads up on a big left hand.
Karl Hermann is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hermann loads up on a big right hand but Aalto slips the punch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Aalto! But no joy.
Hermann ducks under a wild hook from Aalto.
Nice defenses there by Aalto.
Aalto is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Aalto has taken the fight to the clinch.
Aalto misses with the head strike.

Aalto tightens his grip and picks Hermann up, before dumping him to the ground. Hermann manages to land in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aalto trying to control the position from guard on top but Hermann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aalto preventing the sweep.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hermann can't keep his opponent in guard - Aalto advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Hermann pushes Aalto off looking to stand but Aalto dives back in and keeps control.
Aalto not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Hermann makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Hermann goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Aalto lands with a kick to the temple. Hermann shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aalto misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Hermann to counter with a crisp jab.
Hermann avoids the head kick by Aalto.
Hermann keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hermann throws a hook but Aalto blocks it.
Aalto was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Hermann dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hermann rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hermann takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hermann changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hermann throws out a loose jab but Aalto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hermann with a nice cross.
Aalto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hermann misses with a looping left.
Hermann throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Aalto on the side of the head.
Hermann fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hermann throws a poor cross that misses
and Aalto counters with a nice leg kick.
Aalto misses with an uppercut
and Hermann counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aalto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hermann.
Hermann lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hermann misses with a straight left.
Aalto ducks under a wild hook from Hermann.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermann lands a two punch combo.
Hermann lands a jab to Aalto's midsection.
A big left from Hermann misses.
Aalto moves away from the strike by Hermann.
Hermann misses with a body shot
and Aalto makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hermann misses with a straight right.
A slapping leg kick lands for Aalto.
Hermann throws a lazy right hand but Aalto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Aalto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Aalto closes the distance and clinches.
Hermann misses with some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hermann.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aalto tries to pull guard but Hermann holds him up against the cage and eventually Aalto drops back down to his feet.
Aalto lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hermann doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hermann working aggressively here.
Aalto lands a right hand.
A hook to the body from Hermann.

Hermann escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hermann throws the left hand but Aalto avoids the punch easily.
Hermann tries to bum rush Aalto with a series of wild strikes but Aalto uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hermann is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Aalto takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Hermann misses with a body shot.
Hermann throws a lazy uppercut
letting Aalto counter with a right hand.
A jab from Aalto does it's job there.
Hermann bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Aalto scores with a push kick.
Hermann ducks under a wild hook from Aalto.
Aalto on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Karl Hermann is winning the standup battle so far.
Aalto takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermann looks to score with a jab to the body but Aalto is just out of range.
Aalto was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Hermann slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Hermann jabs Aalto to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Hermann looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Aalto throws a body shot but no joy.
A big right from Aalto misses.
A cross from Hermann lands.
A cross from Hermann lands.
Aalto looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Aalto throws a looping overhand right but Hermann ducks down to avoid it.
Hermann is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Aalto can do to turn this around?
Hermann works the jab nicely.
Hermann misses with a looping left.
Aalto lands a jab to the nose.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Hermann throws a jab when Aalto was well out of range.
Hermann goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Jab, jab by Hermann - just one landing.
Hermann scores with a crisp jab that stopped Aalto in his tracks.
Hermann scores with a sloppy right hand. Aalto should have avoided that one.
Hermann looks to score with a jab to the body but Aalto is just out of range.
Aalto now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Hermann lands with a slapping head kick.
Hermann tests Aalto's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hermann lands a head kick. Aalto smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hermann swings for the body but Aalto moves out of range.
Hermann throws a lazy right hand but Aalto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A slow jab from Hermann misses its intended target.
It seemed like Aalto was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Hermann dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Hermann looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Aalto blocks a jab.
Aalto let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Michael Aalto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aalto looks to land a body kick but Hermann moved away.
Aalto avoids the body shot from Hermann.
Hermann blocks the body kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Hermann. That snapped Aalto's head back.
Aalto throws out a loose jab but Hermann uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aalto takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hermann throws a lazy right hand but Aalto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A nice side step and Aalto releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aalto moves away from the strike by Hermann.
Hermann misses the jab.
A slow jab from Hermann misses its intended target.
Aalto looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hermann scores with a sloppy right hand. Aalto should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Aalto shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aalto jabs at Hermann's body.
Hermann lands a really nice looking cross but Aalto seems unphased.
Aalto throws a head kick that misses.
Hermann lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Aalto moves forwards but Hermann connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hermann tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hermann throws an off balance right hand
and Aalto counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hermann throws out a powerful jab.
Hermann avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Aalto knocks Hermann to the floor with a head kick! Can he finish him!?

Hermann is rocked!
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!
Hermann is trying to control Aalto's posture but Aalto avoids it.
Karl Hermann is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Oh Hermann is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aalto scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Hermann to see if he's OK.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hermann gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Aalto thows a huge punch but Hermann dodges it nicely.
Hermann won't allow Aalto to pass to mount.
Aalto missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hermann pushes Aalto off looking to stand but Aalto dives back in and keeps control.
Aalto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hermann keeps working.
Hermann seems to have got his legs back now.
Aalto sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hermann defending well though.
Aalto looks to land a strike but Hermann avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Hermann keeping full guard, as Aalto tries to pass.
Hermann has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aalto is still trying to improve position.
Hermann utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hermann 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.
Hermann is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Aalto is controlling him.
Aalto wants to pass the guard but Hermann is keeping the position.
Aalto lands a couple of elbows.
Aalto throwing strikes from guard but Hermann blocks nicely.
Aalto wants to pass the guard but Hermann is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Hermann pulls Aalto in close to his closed guard and prevents Aalto from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hermann scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Aalto keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hermann.
Aalto now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Aalto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hermann.
Hermann with a jab.
Hermann lands a jab-cross combination.
Hermann misses with a looping left.
Hermann misses with a hook. Aalto ducked under it nicely.
Aalto now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Hermann waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aalto.
Hermann pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

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 Karl Hermann.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hermann, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karl Hermann!
Our winner, Karl Hermann, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.