PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thor Axelsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ville Valo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Axelsson
vs
Valo

180 cm
25
184 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Thor Axelsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ville Valo!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Axelsson fails with the takedown

and Valo counters by moving into the clinch.
Axelsson is working for takedown but Valo is calmly controlling the position for now.
Axelsson misses with a knee strike.
Axelsson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Valo after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thor Axelsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Valo breaks from the clinch.
Axelsson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Valo counters with a series of strikes. Axelsson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Axelsson is looking to clinch.
Axelsson tries for a takedown but Valo circles away easily
and Valo counters with a stiff right hand.
Axelsson with a poor takedown
enabling Valo to counter with a crisp jab.
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!
Axelsson shoots in for a takedown but Valo shows good takedown defense.
Axelsson is breathing heavily.
Valo thuds a left hand into Axelsson's body.
Valo scores with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Valo.
Valo lands a right hook to the body.

Valo lands a left and a right that send Axelsson crashing to the mat, dazed. Valo thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Axelsson is rocked!
Ville Valo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Valo drives through and clinches with Axelsson against the cage.

Valo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Axelsson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Valo throws a low kick, looking for Axelsson's leg but Axelsson calmly moves out of range.
Valo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Valo throws a nice looking combination but Axelsson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Axelsson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Valo has one foot on Axelsson's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Valo closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valo tries to break the clinch but Axelsson is controlling the position.

Valo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Valo has Axelsson up against the cage in a clinch.
Axelsson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Valo is defending well.

Valo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Axelsson throws a nice looking combination but Valo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Valo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Axelsson ducks under a wild hook from Valo.

Valo instigates a clinch.
Valo tries to circle away but Axelsson has him pinned against the cage.
Valo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Axelsson wants a takedown but no success here.
Valo wants to break free but Axelsson has control.
Valo is trying to break the clinch but Axelsson is controlling him.
Valo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Axelsson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Valo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Axelsson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Valo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Valo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Thor Axelsson has been cut.

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!

Valo clinches up with Axelsson and pushes him back against the cage.
Valo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Axelsson backwards.
Valo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Axelsson has him pressed against the cage.
Valo is trying to force a seperation but Axelsson has the dominant position.
Valo working hard to break the clinch.

Valo breaks from the clinch.
Valo stalks Axelsson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Axelsson's face. Axelsson staggers backwards, shaken.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Valo moves into range and clinches up with Axelsson.

Valo breaks from the clinch.
A punch combination from Valo misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ville Valo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Thor Axelsson's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Axelsson doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Valo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Axelsson is trying to trip Valo. He has hold of a leg but Valo is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Axelsson persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Valo wants to stand and escape but Axelsson is having none of it.
Valo can't keep his opponent in guard - Axelsson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Valo looks like he's trying to stand up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Axelsson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Valo tries to kick Axelsson off but Axelsson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Valo moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Valo wants to stand but Axelsson is controlling the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Axelsson throwing strikes from guard but Valo blocks nicely.
Valo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Axelsson passes Valo's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson is trying to control. Valo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Valo tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Axelsson manages to move to mount!

Axelsson is giving the impression that he's looking to ground and pound but he switches suddenly into a beautiful far side armbar! Valo is forced to tap! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Thor Axelsson!