PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aslak Joikhaaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chester Man (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Joikhaaja
vs
Man

173 cm
19
185 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

186 cm
20
181 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aslak Joikhaaja!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Chester Man!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Donald Grub and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joikhaaja fails with a takedown attempt.
Joikhaaja tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Man defends well and Joikhaaja ends up having to push Man into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Joikhaaja tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aslak Joikhaaja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Joikhaaja is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Man to keep the fight standing.
Joikhaaja tries to pull guard but Man holds him up against the cage and eventually Joikhaaja drops back down to his feet.
Joikhaaja tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Man smiles and moves away.

Joikhaaja darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Joikhaaja trying to control from half guard but Man is working away.
Man holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Man keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Man manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joikhaaja throwing strikes from guard but Man blocks nicely.

Man looking for a guillotine here but Joikhaaja defends easily.
Joikhaaja 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.
Joikhaaja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Man works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Joikhaaja postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Joikhaaja missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Man really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Joikhaaja. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Joikhaaja trying to control the position from guard on top but Man is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Man is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Joikhaaja trying to control but Man is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Man utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Man is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Man tries to pass the half guard into mount. Joikhaaja knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Man is taking a breather. Joikhaaja 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.
Joikhaaja is looking to control Man's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Joikhaaja avoid being mounted?
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Joikhaaja gets back to full guard.
Joikhaaja not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Man passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja gets back to half guard.
Joikhaaja gets back to full guard.
Joikhaaja tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Man slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Joikhaaja tries to improve position but can't.
Man tries to stand but Joikhaaja is controlling his head.
Joikhaaja gets back to half guard.
Joikhaaja is trying to stand up here but Man is controlling him well.
Joikhaaja is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Joikhaaja is staying active underneath Man, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Joikhaaja regains full guard. Nicely done.
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!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Joikhaaja is on top in guard.
Joikhaaja postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Joikhaaja preventing the sweep.
Joikhaaja trying to control but Man is working from the bottom.

Man is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Joikhaaja stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Man swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aslak Joikhaaja dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Man gets caught flat footed, as Joikhaaja shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Man is trying to keep Joikhaaja in close.
Joikhaaja working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Man is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Man is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Man not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Joikhaaja wants to pass the guard but Man is keeping the position.
Joikhaaja prevents Man from getting back to his feet.
Joikhaaja looking to sit in guard and control but Man gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joikhaaja tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Man pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Joikhaaja is keeping the position for now.
Joikhaaja looking for a sweep. Not yet Joikhaaja, not yet.
Joikhaaja is working hard here to advance position.
Joikhaaja manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Man manages to get himself to full guard.
Man avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Man has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Joikhaaja is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Man.
Joikhaaja wants to control but Man is keeping him busy.
Joikhaaja is trying to move to mount but Man reverses beautifully and ends up in Joikhaaja's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja trying to control the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Joikhaaja is on top in guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Man can do anything to dispel that myth.
Joikhaaja throwing strikes but missing.
Man working a defensive guard here.
Joikhaaja with a flurry of punches that miss.
Joikhaaja working some strikes from top position.

It looks like Chester Man has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Joikhaaja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Man works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Joikhaaja throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Man trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Aslak Joikhaaja overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Joikhaaja postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Joikhaaja wants to control from the top but Man keeps moving.
Joikhaaja controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Man preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Joikhaaja trying to control the position from guard on top but Man is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Joikhaaja throwing strikes from guard but Man blocks nicely.
Joikhaaja throws an elbow that misses. Man uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Joikhaaja's guard. Nice move by Man!
Joikhaaja looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Joikhaaja might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Man wants to control from the top but Joikhaaja keeps moving.
Joikhaaja wants to sweep here but Man controlling him for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Man throws a sloppy head kick and Joikhaaja moves out of range easily.
Joikhaaja darts in looking for a takedown but Man gets double underhooks and turns Joikhaaja into the cage.
Joikhaaja is trying to pull guard but Man turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Man decides to pull guard.
Joikhaaja working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Joikhaaja trying to control the position from guard on top but Man is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Joikhaaja throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Joikhaaja is working Man over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aslak Joikhaaja dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Chester Man's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Joikhaaja fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Man shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Joikhaaja but Joikhaaja pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Man.
Nice takedown defense from Man. No joy for Joikhaaja on that attempt.
Joikhaaja tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Man defends well and Joikhaaja ends up having to push Man into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aslak Joikhaaja. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Man gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Joikhaaja looking for a sweep. Not yet Joikhaaja, not yet.
Man is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Joikhaaja looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Man throwing strikes from guard but Joikhaaja blocks nicely.
Man won't allow Joikhaaja to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joikhaaja trying to keep a closed guard but Man is proving a slippery customer.
Man keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Joikhaaja's head.
Joikhaaja tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Man trying to control the position from guard on top but Joikhaaja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Chester Man wasn't active enough on the ground.
Joikhaaja avoids the head kick by Man.
Nice sprawl there from Man as Joikhaaja shoots in.
Joikhaaja with a lazy takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Man throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Joikhaaja tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Man is in Joikhaaja's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Man wants to stand but Joikhaaja has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Joikhaaja is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Man must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Man trying to control but Joikhaaja is working from the bottom.
Joikhaaja avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Man is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
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!
Man wants to control from the top but Joikhaaja keeps moving.
Joikhaaja looking to control but Man passes into half guard.
Joikhaaja gets back to full guard.
Joikhaaja will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja has control of Man's left arm, preventing Man from doing any damage.
Joikhaaja thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Joikhaaja manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Man manages to get himself to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Joikhaaja accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Man trying to keep a closed guard but Joikhaaja is proving a slippery customer.
Joikhaaja sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Man's guard.
Man regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Joikhaaja.
Man is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Man looking for a guillotine here but Joikhaaja defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Man working for submissions but it's allowed Joikhaaja to get to half guard.
Joikhaaja is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Joikhaaja working Man over with strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Joikhaaja lands with a punch from half guard.
Man wants to improve his position but Joikhaaja is controlling well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Joikhaaja scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Man on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Aslak Joikhaaja did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Chester Man's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Joikhaaja fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Man shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Joikhaaja as he avoids it easily.
An inside leg kick from Joikhaaja misses.
Joikhaaja tries for a takedown but Man circles away easily
and Man counters with a nice uppercut.
Man defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Joikhaaja.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aslak Joikhaaja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Man is defended easily by Joikhaaja.
Man moves in looking to clinch but Joikhaaja pushes him off.
Joikhaaja fails with a takedown attempt.
Joikhaaja tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Man defends well and Joikhaaja ends up having to push Man into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Man pulls guard successfully.
Joikhaaja wants to control from the top but Man keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Man wants to sweep here but Joikhaaja controlling him for the moment.
Man is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Joikhaaja wants to control but Man is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Man decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Joikhaaja shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Man sprawls well. Man wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Joikhaaja gets slowly back to his feet.
Joikhaaja fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Joikhaaja fails with a takedown attempt.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja tries for a takedown but Man circles away easily
and Man connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Man clinches.
Joikhaaja tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Man jumps guard.
Man avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Man avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Joikhaaja working some strikes from top position.
Joikhaaja wants to control from the top but Man keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Man is on top in guard.
Joikhaaja looking to control.
Joikhaaja is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja wants to get back to his feet but Man is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Joikhaaja controls Man momentarily but Man frees himself.
Man wants to get up but he can't break Joikhaaja's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Man forces his way into half guard.
Well, if Man is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Joikhaaja is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Man is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Joikhaaja is just riding it out for now. Man eventually gives up the hold.
Man is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Joikhaaja moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Man pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Joikhaaja is keeping the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Man won't allow Joikhaaja to sweep him here.
Man trying to control the position from guard on top but Joikhaaja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chester Man dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Chester Man's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Man stuffs the takedown.

Man has managed to clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Man.
Joikhaaja jumps guard but Man turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Joikhaaja tries to pull guard but Man won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aslak Joikhaaja. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Man escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Joikhaaja misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Man throws a head kick that misses.
Joikhaaja throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Man's waist but Man gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Joikhaaja off to one side.
Joikhaaja gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Man moves into the clinch.
Man holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Man pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joikhaaja missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Man bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Joikhaaja's guard.
Man pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Joikhaaja is keeping the position for now.
Joikhaaja looking to control.
Joikhaaja is looking to stand up but Man isn't so interested in that idea.
Joikhaaja has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Man has passed into side control.
Joikhaaja is looking for a sweep.
Joikhaaja sneaks back into half guard.
Joikhaaja is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Man is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Man is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Joikhaaja makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Joikhaaja.
Man passes Joikhaaja's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Joikhaaja wants to improve his position but Man is controlling well.
Man performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Joikhaaja is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja missing with punches from the bottom.
Joikhaaja wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Joikhaaja manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Joikhaaja is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Joikhaaja has a closed guard, preventing Man from standing up.
Man trying to control the position from guard on top but Joikhaaja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Joikhaaja looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Man prevents Joikhaaja from getting back to his feet.
Man has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Joikhaaja is proving hard to escape from.
Joikhaaja is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Chester Man was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Joikhaaja has a takedown stuffed.
Man lands a jab-cross combination.
Aslak Joikhaaja is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Joikhaaja shoots in for a double leg but Man sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Joikhaaja throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Joikhaaja has his takedown stuffed
and Man counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Joikhaaja thinking.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Man shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Joikhaaja pinned against the cage. Joikhaaja gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Chester Man has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joikhaaja has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Man.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Chester Man.
I think Joikhaaja 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 48:47
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 48:47
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aslak Joikhaaja!
Aslak Joikhaaja is the new welterweight champion!