PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Peter Aerts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Waltteri Lahti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Aerts
vs
Lahti

192 cm
25
240 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

185 cm
23
285 lbs
12 - 8 - 1

Decent wrestler
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Perkele!
Perkele!

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 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Peter Aerts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Waltteri Lahti!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Aerts. Lahti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lahti misses the shot to the body.
Aerts scores with a kick to the midsection.
Lahti closes the distance and clinches up with Aerts, looking for a takedown. Lahti pushes Aerts against the cage but Aerts circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Aerts lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Lahti has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Lahti and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A nice leg kick lands there from Aerts.
A looping hook to the body misses from Aerts. Lahti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aerts scores with a jab.
Lahti keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Aerts scoring well with a low kick there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Some wild striking there from Aerts.
Lahti throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Aerts pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lahti has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lahti there as he acknowledges the shot.
Lahti throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Aerts doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Aerts ducks right into an uppercut from Lahti.
Lahti jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lahti closes the distance and clinches up with Aerts, looking for a takedown. Lahti pushes Aerts against the cage but Aerts circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Aerts lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Aerts scores with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aerts thows a body shot but no joy.
Aerts leaves Lahti with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Peter Aerts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Waltteri Lahti.
Aerts ducks under a wild hook from Lahti.
Lahti slips a jab and a cross from Aerts.
Aerts defending well as Lahti loads up on a big left hand.
Aerts scores with a spinning back kick!

Lahti dives in and scores a takedown into Aerts's guard.
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.
Aerts trying to control the position.
Aerts on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Aerts tries to get out of the position.
Aerts keeping full guard, as Lahti tries to pass.
Aerts is trying to control the position but Lahti postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aerts keeping full guard, as Lahti tries to pass.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Peter Aerts just wasn't active enough.
Aerts connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lahti.
Lahti will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Aerts lands a high kick!
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!
Aerts pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Aerts fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Lahti checks it well.
Lahti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aerts moves away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Aerts.
Aerts moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Aerts takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Lahti is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Aerts rather than just go for the knockout.
Aerts throws a nice outside leg kick.
Aerts misses with a straight left.
Aerts throws a push kick but Lahti slaps the foot to one side.
Aerts moves out of range as Lahti strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aerts throws an overhand right that lands on Lahti's shoulder, as Lahti tries to avoid the shot.
Aerts looks to score with a jab to the body but Lahti is just out of range.
Lahti misses with a body shot.
Lahti pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Aerts jabs at Lahti's body.
Aerts swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Lahti.
Lahti misses with a wild body shot.
Lahti takes a swing at Aerts's ribcage but misses.
Aerts dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lahti. That did some damage!
Lahti shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Aerts sprawls well. Aerts wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lahti gets slowly back to his feet.
Aerts tests Lahti's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Aerts defending well as Lahti loads up on a big left hand.
Peter Aerts is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Aerts scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lahti doesn't seem bothered though.
A slapping leg kick lands for Aerts.
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!
A jab from Aerts finds it's way through Lahti's defenses.
Sloppy strikes from Lahti. Those never looked like landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aerts looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Lahti has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Aerts.
Lahti avoids the head kick by Aerts.
Aerts fails to land with a series of punches.
Peter Aerts seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aerts is looking to score with low kicks.
Aerts slips under a jab from Lahti.
Nice defenses there by Aerts.
Aerts misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lahti avoids a kick to the body.
Aerts stuffs the takedown attempt from Lahti. Lahti gets slowly back to his feet.
Lahti tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Aerts swivels and escapes.
Aerts scores with a jab to the head.
Aerts connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Lahti momentarily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lahti throws a body punch but Aerts moves out of range.
Lahti on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Aerts. Aerts obviously looking to wear him down.
Aerts looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A thudding body kick lands there by Aerts!
Lahti looks gassed!
Aerts throws a front kick that sends Lahti stumbling back into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Aerts dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Aerts scores with a leg kick.
Lahti needs to keep his hands up - Aerts had a free shot at his head there.
Lahti misses with a straight left.
Lahti swings for the body but Aerts moves out of range.
Lahti checks a leg kick.
Aerts throws a push kick but Lahti slaps the foot to one side.
Decent striking displayed by Lahti there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Aerts. Lahti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lahti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aerts moves away.
Lahti walks into a stiff left hand from Aerts.
Nice uppercut lands for Aerts. That snapped Lahti's head back.
Lahti shoots in for a takedown but Aerts shows good takedown defense.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Aerts here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Lahti walks into a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aerts lands with a nice body kick.
Aerts throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Lahti just misses with a punch to the body.
Lahti tries for a takedown but Aerts sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Aerts scores with a head kick. Lahti tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Aerts bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Aerts looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lahti thows a body shot but no joy.
Lahti is breathing heavily.
Lahti misses with an uppercut. Aerts saw that one coming.
Aerts scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lahti slips a straight right by Aerts.
Lahti takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
No luck for Lahti with that takedown attempt.
Peter Aerts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Waltteri Lahti.
Aerts fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lahti.
Aerts scores with a sloppy right hand. Lahti should have avoided that one.
Aerts tries to clinch but Lahti moves out of range.
Aerts lands a head shot.
Lahti's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Lahti thows a body shot but no joy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aerts scores with a nice body kick.
Lahti has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Aerts finds it's way round the side to connect with Lahti's head.
Lahti looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Aerts is fending him off so far but Lahti persists. Nope, Aerts circles away and we're back to standing.
Aerts lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Lahti has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Aerts.
Aerts connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Lahti momentarily.
Aerts looks to land a combination but Lahti avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lahti blocks a jab.
Aerts is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lahti can do to turn this around?
Aerts swings for the body but Lahti moves out of range.
Aerts is looking to slow Lahti down with leg kicks.
Aerts throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Aerts jabs at Lahti's body.
The fighters circling - Aerts throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lahti lands a glancing blow to the side of Aerts's head.
Peter Aerts is winning the standup battle so far.
Aerts misses with a kick to the body.
Nice jab there from Aerts.
Aerts moves out of range of the strikes.
Aerts stuns Lahti with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Lahti 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Aerts scores with a sloppy right hand. Lahti should have avoided that one.
Aerts throws a head kick but Lahti moves out of range.
Lahti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Aerts throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Lahti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Aerts.
A looping hook to the body misses from Aerts. Lahti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lahti closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lahti moves out of range of the body kick.
Aerts on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Lahti throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Aerts takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Good standup being displayed there by Aerts as he connects with a hook.
Aerts misses with a double jab.
Lahti thows a body shot but no joy.
Lahti shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Aerts defends it nicely.
Aerts displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lahti.
Aerts looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lahti has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A head kick misses from Aerts.
Lahti has a takedown stuffed.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lahti moves forwards but Aerts connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aerts fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lahti looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lahti misses the jab.
Aerts looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lahti misses with a straight left.
Lahti shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Aerts as he jumps to the side.
Aerts looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Aerts scores with a shot to the body.
Lahti has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Aerts throws a sloppy head kick
and Lahti counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Lahti on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Lahti walks forward, straight into a front kick from Aerts.
Lahti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lahti throws a body punch but Aerts moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Aerts connects with a nice looking jab.
Aerts misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lahti throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Aerts stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lahti misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Aerts dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Aerts throws a good cross that connects.
Aerts moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Lahti pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Aerts pushes Lahti away with a front kick.
Aerts fakes the leg kick and cracks Lahti in the body.
Aerts walks into a straight right hand from Lahti.
Aerts throws a sloppy head kick and Lahti moves out of range easily.
Aerts scores with a jab. Lahti acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Aerts is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Lahti fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Aerts cracks the inside of Lahti's front leg.
Aerts throws a body kick that misses.
Aerts throws a leg kick but Lahti checks it.
Lahti takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lahti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aerts moves away.
Aerts is looking to land body kicks.
Nice defenses there by Aerts.
Lahti throws a series of punches but Aerts avoids them all with ease.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aerts throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Aerts ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lahti moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aerts swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aerts misses with a body shot.
A combination from Aerts does no damage.
Aerts fails in his attempt to clinch.
Aerts throws the kick towards the body but Lahti avoids it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Aerts darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Aerts uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lahti.
Lahti moves out of range as Aerts throws a body kick.
Lahti swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Lahti looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Aerts controlling the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aerts looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lahti thows a huge punch but Aerts dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aerts is not content to let Lahti control the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Lahti content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Waltteri Lahti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The ref stands the fighters back up because Peter Aerts just wasn't active enough.
Aerts throws a one two combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lahti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aerts moves away.
Lahti shoots in looking for a takedown but Aerts manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lahti's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Aerts scores with a hook to the body. Lahti takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Lahti moves out of range as Aerts throws a body kick.
Lahti swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aerts misses with a body shot.

Lahti shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Aerts napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Lahti taking a breather here.

Lahti working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lahti tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Lahti thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

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 Peter Aerts.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Aerts, 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Peter Aerts!
After winning the bout, Peter Aerts thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.