PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tali Ihantala (ranked 1610 p4p, 1283 weight class) and Alexus Argento (ranked 192 p4p, 156 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Ihantala
vs
Argento

203 cm
40
253
39 - 23 - 0

190 cm
32
245
14 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

NARCOS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 39 - 23 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tali Ihantala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alexus Argento!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Ren Mimura and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ihantala fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Argento manages to avoid it.
Argento is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ihantala throws a poor cross that misses

and Argento counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Ihantala!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Ihantala takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Ihantala manages to get back to half guard.
Argento is looking to advance position but Ihantala won't allow it.
Argento not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Argento lands a nice short elbow.
Ihantala regains full guard. Nicely done.
Argento advances to half guard.
Nice strikes from Argento there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Argento working the head and body with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ihantala keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Argento lands strikes from half guard.
Argento sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ihantala defending well though.
Ihantala trying to control but Argento postures up.
Ihantala wants to get back to full guard.
Nice strikes from Argento there.
Ihantala is looking to escape.
Ihantala is looking to control Argento's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ihantala avoid being mounted?
Argento slips a nice elbow through Ihantala's hands, connecting with Ihantala's forehead.
Nice strikes from Argento there.
Ihantala wants to control but Argento is keeping busy.
Argento looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Argento tries to pass to full mount but Ihantala defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Argento throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Argento drops an elbow to the side of Ihantala's head.
Argento seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Argento working over Ihantala with some ground and pound. Ihantala looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ihantala tries to get to full guard but Argento has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Ihantala is working hard here to advance position.
Argento winds up and cracks Ihantala with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Argento takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Argento connects with a nice short shot to Ihantala's temple.
Ihantala regains full guard. Nicely done.
Ihantala will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ihantala looking for a sweep. Not yet Ihantala, not yet.
Argento makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Argento scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Argento working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ihantala's head.
Argento lands a couple of digs.
Ihantala bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Argento's guard.

Ihantala trying to control but Argento is working from the bottom.
Ihantala looking to sit in guard and control but Argento gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Argento scoring with some ground and pound.
Argento throwing strikes from guard but Ihantala blocks nicely.
Argento postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Argento lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Argento has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Argento works over Ihantala with some ground and pound from guard.
Argento cracks Ihantala with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Argento with a nice head shot there.
Argento working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Argento working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ihantala's head.

Ihantala is rocked!
Argento arches his back and unloads with a massive left and a right! Ihantala's eyes roll back into his head, he's out cold! The ref dives in to stop the fight - wow, they were hard shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Alexus Argento!
During a confident post fight interview, Alexus Argento thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.