PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pantero Athrox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sisu Aalto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aalto has chosen . as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Athrox
vs
Aalto

180 cm
25
166 lbs
10 - 13 - 0

175 cm
24
165 lbs
11 - 11 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pantero Athrox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sisu Aalto!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aalto looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Aalto looks to land a combination but Athrox avoids it well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Athrox is defended easily by Aalto.
Aalto misses with the combination.
Aalto misses with a series of wild punches.
Aalto defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Athrox.
Athrox shoots in for a double leg but Aalto sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pantero Athrox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Athrox shoots in and drives through. Aalto sprawls well.

Athrox looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Athrox prevents Aalto from getting back to his feet.
Athrox stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Aalto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Athrox is working hard here to advance position.

Aalto pushes Athrox off and gets back to his feet.
Athrox is trying hard to land a takedown here. Aalto sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Athrox is breathing heavily.
Aalto throws a series of punches but Athrox moves out of range.
Athrox avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto misses with the combination.
Aalto circles away from the clinch attempt.
A combination from Aalto does no damage.
Athrox fails to land the takedown.

Aalto lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Athrox sprawling to the canvas. Aalto follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Athrox hang on?

Athrox is rocked!
It looks like Aalto is going to stand back up.
Oh Athrox is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Athrox actively working from the bottom here.
Athrox seems to have got his legs back now.

Aalto decides to return to a standing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aalto throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
No joy there for Aalto, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Athrox dodges the punch combination from Aalto.
Sloppy strikes from Aalto. Those never looked like landing.
Aalto slaps away a takedown attempt from Athrox, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Aalto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aalto throws a nice looking combination but Athrox bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Athrox shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Aalto as he jumps to the side.
Aalto tries to bum rush Athrox with a series of wild strikes but Athrox uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A combination from Aalto does no damage.
Athrox shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Aalto sprawls well. Aalto wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Athrox gets slowly back to his feet.
Aalto looks to land a combination but Athrox avoids it well.
Aalto misses with a wild combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Athrox.
Aalto throws a series of punches but Athrox moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Athrox misses with a takedown attempt - Aalto sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Aalto works over Athrox's head and body with a nice combination.
Aalto misses with a few strikes there.
Aalto throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Athrox counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Aalto wants to get back to his feet but Athrox is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

Aalto uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Athrox misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Athrox shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Aalto as he avoids it easily.
Aalto misses with a two punch combination.
Athrox slips a jab and a cross from Aalto.
Athrox fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Aalto misses with a few strikes there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aalto fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Athrox misses with a takedown attempt - Aalto sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Aalto misses with a double jab

and Athrox counters with a takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aalto is pushing Athrox's head away, looking to escape. Athrox manages to hold on to the position though.

Athrox tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Athrox wants to control but Aalto is keeping him busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Aalto throws Athrox to one side and escapes!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Pantero Athrox will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Some wild striking there from Aalto.
Aalto looks to land a combination but Athrox avoids it well.
Aalto misses with a double jab.
Athrox tries to score a power double leg takedown but Aalto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Athrox somewhat.
Aalto keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Aalto misses with a wild combination.
Aalto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Athrox misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pantero Athrox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aalto throws a right and a left that Athrox avoids nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Athrox avoids a punch combination nicely.
Athrox changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Aalto tries to avoid it but Athrox manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Aalto to the ground. Aalto escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Aalto fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Pantero Athrox is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No joy there for Aalto, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Athrox dodges the punch combination from Aalto.
Aalto misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto looks to land a combination but Athrox avoids it well.
Athrox fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Athrox throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Aalto's waist but Aalto gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Athrox off to one side.
Aalto throws a right hand that Athrox ducks under and follows up with a left that Athrox also avoids with ease.
Athrox changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Aalto tries to avoid it but Athrox manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Aalto to the ground. Aalto escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Aalto defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Athrox.
Aalto swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Aalto throws a series of punches but Athrox avoids them all with ease.
Sisu Aalto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Athrox tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Aalto manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from Aalto misses.
Aalto throws a series of punches but Athrox moves out of range.
Athrox closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aalto circles away.
Aalto throws a right and a left that both miss.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Athrox is defended easily by Aalto.
Aalto throws a right and a left that Athrox avoids nicely.
Athrox shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Aalto pinned against the cage. Aalto gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Athrox tries to close the distance and clinch up but Aalto swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Aalto throws a right and a left that Athrox avoids nicely.
Aalto will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Athrox fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Aalto slaps away a takedown attempt from Athrox, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Aalto fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Athrox dodges the punch combination from Aalto.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Athrox.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Athrox is defended easily by Aalto.
Aalto misses with a few strikes there.
Aalto throws a right hand that Athrox ducks under and follows up with a left that Athrox also avoids with ease.
Nice sprawl there from Aalto as Athrox shoots in.
No joy there for Aalto, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aalto lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Athrox backs up against the cage.
Athrox misses with a takedown attempt - Aalto sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Athrox doesn't manage to clinch there - Aalto circles away.
Aalto leaves Athrox with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Athrox shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Aalto pinned against the cage. Aalto gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Aalto misses with a wild combination.
Athrox is trying hard to land a takedown here. Aalto sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Athrox has a takedown stuffed.
Athrox tries for a takedown but Aalto sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Aalto misses with a two punch combination.
Athrox shoots in looking for a takedown but Aalto manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Athrox's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Aalto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Athrox circles away quickly and effectively.
Athrox shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Aalto sprawls well. Aalto wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Athrox gets slowly back to his feet.
Athrox fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aalto swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Athrox shoots for a double leg takedown but Aalto sprawls well. He's pushed Athrox's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Athrox closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Athrox lands in his opponent's guard.
Athrox wants to control from the top but Aalto keeps moving.
Pantero Athrox overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Aalto wants to stand and escape but Athrox is having none of it.
Athrox trying to control but Aalto is working from the bottom.
Athrox stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Aalto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Aalto wants to get back to his feet but Athrox is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sisu Aalto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Athrox.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Athrox.

Aalto drops Athrox with a left and a right! Oh, Athrox is hurt - Aalto dives into side control looking to finish!

Aalto stands up.
Aalto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Aalto looks to land a combination but Athrox avoids it well.
Athrox fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pantero Athrox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Athrox.
Aalto scores with a three punch combo!
Aalto scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Athrox tries to clinch but Aalto is having none of it.
Aalto misses with a few strikes there.
Athrox shoots in for a takedown but Aalto shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Aalto misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto misses with a combination

and Athrox counters with a single leg into guard. Aalto didn't expect that.

Athrox thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Athrox wants to pass the guard but Aalto is keeping the position.
Aalto wants to stand and escape but Athrox is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Athrox drops back looking for a leg! Aalto is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Aalto manages to kick Athrox off! Athrox jumps back into Aalto's guard.
Aalto keeping full guard, as Athrox tries to pass.
Aalto is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Aalto really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Athrox. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Athrox works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Athrox is pressing down on Aalto's thigh, looking to free his foot. Aalto is holding on for now.

Aalto kicks Athrox off and gets back to his feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Athrox.
Aalto tries to bum rush Athrox with a series of wild strikes but Athrox uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sisu Aalto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Aalto stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Aalto wants it to stay on the feet.
Aalto swinging wildly here.
Athrox throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Aalto's waist but Aalto gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Athrox off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Athrox shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aalto misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Aalto throws a right and a left that Athrox avoids nicely.
Athrox shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Aalto defends it nicely.
Athrox shoots for a double leg takedown but Aalto sprawls well. He's pushed Athrox's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Athrox avoids a punch combination nicely.
Aalto swinging wildly here.
Aalto misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Athrox scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Aalto wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Athrox tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Athrox has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aalto pushes Athrox away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Athrox gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Athrox works to advance to full mount. Aalto defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
You get the feeling that Aalto really doesn't like being in this position too much.

Athrox jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Aalto manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Athrox throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Athrox sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Aalto is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Aalto wants to get back to his feet but Athrox drags him back down.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Athrox working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Aalto is trying to buck Athrox off.

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 Pantero Athrox.
I think Athrox has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!