PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikael Lindel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ana Ali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ali has chosen Apinamies as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Lindel
vs
Ali

190 cm
23
240 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
250 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Crashforce Nutrition (Authentic 160Q/159Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikael Lindel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ana Ali!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lindel loads up on a big right hand but Ali slips the punch.
Ali doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Ali as Lindel shoots in.
Lindel throws a shot from downtown. Ali moves away and avoids it.
Lindel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ali was well out of range. Poor timing from Lindel.
Lindel is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ali throws a jab but it's blocked by Lindel.

Lindel has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ali jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lindel walks away with a smile on his face. Ali gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Ali tries to keep at a distance but Lindel has taken the fight into the clinch.

Lindel has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Ali is trying to keep an underhook but Lindel manages to get the takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ali wants to get back to full guard.

Ali looking for submissions off his back.
Lindel wants to take a breather but Ali is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali trying to control but Lindel postures up.
Ali is trying to stand back up but Lindel is controlling him
Lindel trying to control the pace.
Ali pushes Lindel off looking to stand but Lindel dives back in and keeps control.

Lindel is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ali has managed to free his arm - good work.
Lindel keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Lindel scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Lindel content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Lindel is trying to work for a kimura but Ali is defending well.
Nice strikes from Lindel there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali wants to improve his position but Lindel is controlling well.
Lindel is pressing down on Ali's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ali is holding on for now.
Lindel is trying to control. Ali wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Lindel is nestled in close to Ali, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lindel lands with a punch from half guard.
Lindel is keen to just control but Ali is a slippery customer.
Ali trying to get back to full guard but Lindel takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Lindel scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Ali?
Ali is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Lindel lands with some strikes.
Lindel landing shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindel tries to control but Ali wriggling away.
BOOM! Lindel connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Lindel has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Lindel unloading with bombs!
Ali really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Ali is bucking up trying to escape but Lindel cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Ali is looking to improve his position but Lindel isn't that keen on the idea.
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!
Lindel raining down hammerfists from mount.
Ali keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Lindel scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Lindel can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ali is looking to escape.
BOOM! Lindel connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Lindel landing strikes from the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Lindel is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Lindel cracks Ali with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Ali is desperately trying to improve his position but Lindel has a good base and remains in mount.
Lindel content just to control the position here.
Lindel landing strikes, looking to finish!
Lindel postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Ali looks a forlorn figure.
Ali is wriggling around trying to escape.
Lindel working the ground and pound effectively.
Ali is in all sorts of trouble here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lindel landing strikes, looking to finish!
Lindel looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Lindel landing punches.
Lindel wants to control the pace but Ali is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikael Lindel dominated that round.
That's time! Lindel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ali has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lindel finds it's way round the side to connect with Ali's head.
Lindel with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ali cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Mikael Lindel has been cut.

Lindel throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ali was covering up waiting for the punch and Lindel finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ali looking for a sweep. Not yet Ali, not yet.

Ali working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lindel doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lindel manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lindel slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Mikael Lindel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ali trying to control the position.
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!
Lindel trying to control but Ali is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindel showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Ali looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ali lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Lindel!
Ali throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Lindel holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Ali tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Lindel tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ali tries to control but Lindel wriggling away.
Lindel wants to control but Ali is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lindel throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Ali throwing strikes here but Lindel is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Ali controlling from the full mount.
Lindel sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ali throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lindel manages to get to full guard.
Ali works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindel trying to control from the bottom.

Ali wants to work for an arm triangle but Lindel is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Lindel trying to control here.
Lindel works his way to full guard. Good work.
Lindel keeping full guard, as Ali tries to pass.

Lindel had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ali defends it easily.

Ali decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Lindel, up you get!

Lindel fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ali to the ground. Lindel is now in Ali's guard.
Lindel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lindel's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ali has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Lindel's face.
Ali lands a nice shot to the head.
Lindel takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Ali prevents Lindel from getting the reversal.
Lindel holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Ali tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Lindel is looking to improve his position but Ali isn't that keen on the idea.
Lindel tries to lock up and control but Ali gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ali cracks Lindel with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Ali working for a guillotine from mount but Lindel is in no mood to give up.
Lindel keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ana Ali showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mikael Lindel's cut.
That's time! Lindel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice takedown defense from Ali. No joy for Lindel on that attempt.
Lindel fails with a takedown attempt.
Mikael Lindel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ali stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ali wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikael Lindel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lindel just misses with a punch to the body.
Lindel blocks a jab.
Ali gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Lindel is looking to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lindel.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindel lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ali slips a straight right by Lindel.
Lindel throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ali stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lindel lands a really nice looking cross but Ali seems unphased.
A swing and a miss from Lindel.
Lindel misses with a looping left.
Lindel shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ali as he avoids it easily.
Mikael Lindel is winning the standup battle so far.
Lindel changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ali tries to avoid it but Lindel manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ali to the ground. Ali escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lindel throws a poor cross that misses

and Ali counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Lindel's guard now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ali missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lindel looking for a sweep. Not yet Lindel, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lindel is keeping the position for now.
Ali trying to control the position from guard on top but Lindel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lindel has momentary wrist control but Ali slips an elbow through the middle.
Lindel avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lindel has control of Ali's left arm, preventing Ali from doing any damage.
Ali trying to control but Lindel is working from the bottom.
Ali is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ana Ali hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Lindel moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali is trying to drag Lindel to the mat but Lindel just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Lindel lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Lindel is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Lindel lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Lindel.
Lindel gets underhooks to prevent Ali's takedown attempt.

Ali has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Lindel is trying to keep an underhook but Ali manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Lindel moves into full guard.
Ali passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lindel looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ali throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lindel preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Lindel works his way to full guard. Good work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ali landing with the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lindel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ali is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Ana Ali just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Mikael Lindel's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Lindel fails with an attempt to clinch.

Lindel looking to score a takedown here. Ali is defending well but Lindel drives through and ends up in Ali's guard.
Lindel content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ali can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lindel controls the pace.
Lindel working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lindel chips away with some ground and pound.
Lindel wants to control from the top but Ali keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lindel preventing the sweep.
Ali keeping moving, preventing Lindel from controlling successfully.
Lindel is in close to Ali's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lindel preventing the sweep.
Lindel is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Lindel has his hands clasped together around Ali's back. He's all about the action.
Lindel has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ali is working away from the top position though.
Lindel gets full guard.
Lindel manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Lindel landing strikes, looking to finish!
Ali tries to reverse the position but Lindel maintains control.
Lindel pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ali sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Lindel throwing shots but Ali is blocking nicely.
Ali wants to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Ali wants to get back to full guard.
Lindel uses his free foot to push down on Ali's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Ali.
Ali regains half guard.
Nice strikes from Lindel there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ali.
Lindel trying to control the position from guard on top but Ali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ali looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lindel is one step ahead there.
Lindel lands a couple of digs.
Lindel trying to control the position from guard on top but Ali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lindel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ali working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lindel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali wants to sweep here but Lindel controlling him for the moment.
Ali working a defensive guard here.
Lindel not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ali can't keep his opponent in guard - Lindel advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Lindel is looking to advance position but Ali won't allow it.
Lindel is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
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!
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ali trying to control from the bottom.
Lindel looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ali tries to get to full guard but Lindel has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikael Lindel had his way with Ana Ali in that round.
The cut man is working on Mikael Lindel's cut.
That's time! Lindel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Lindel moves into range and clinches up with Ali.
Lindel looking for a takedown.
Ali tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lindel just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ali's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ali tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lindel smiles and moves away.

Lindel is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ali's half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Lindel in particular looking to stall.
Ali wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Ali wants to get back to full guard.
Lindel is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ali can do to turn this around?
Lindel controlling the action here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Lindel not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lindel is taking a breather. Ali says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Ali makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ali.
Lindel preventing the sweep.
Lindel is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mikael Lindel wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Lindel with a hook.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Lindel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali gets back to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ali is staying active underneath Lindel, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ali tries to get to full guard but Lindel has control of the leg.

Lindel is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ali defends it well.
Ali moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Lindel wants to control from the top but Ali keeps moving.
Ali can't keep his opponent in guard - Lindel advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ali is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lindel's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lindel's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindel just trying to survive but Ali is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Lindel tries to break free.

Lindel is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Ali gets his way!
Lindel rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Lindel is looking to improve his position.
Lindel is trying to control but Ali manages to pass to mount!
Ali controlling the position easily from mount.
Lindel is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lindel takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Lindel working to try and regain half guard.
Ali looking to control but Lindel is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ali throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
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!
Lindel sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ali winds up and cracks Lindel with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Lindel wants to get back to full guard.
Lindel is looking to get back to full guard here but Ali has managed to pass to side control instead.
Lindel takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

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 Mikael Lindel.
Well Lindel has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 48:47
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 48:47
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikael Lindel!
Mikael Lindel retains his heavyweight title!
Mikael Lindel made sure to mention his sponsor, Crashforce Nutrition (Authentic 160Q/159Q supps!) in his post fight interview.