PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mike Hunt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mauri Alavaara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mauri Alavaara has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Hunt
vs
Alavaara

175 cm
22
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good elbows
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Hunt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mauri Alavaara!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hunt fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Oooh a lovely combination from Hunt sends Alavaara down but not out. Hunt dives into side control looking to finish.

Alavaara is rocked!
Alavaara manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Hunt lands a nice short elbow.
Hunt trying to control the action but Alavaara is working from the bottom.
Hunt is nestled in close to Alavaara, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Alavaara wants to improve his position but Hunt is controlling well.
Nice strikes from Hunt there.
Hunt 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.
Hunt not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Alavaara avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hunt.
Alavaara is looking for a sweep. Hunt is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Alavaara is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hunt is nestled in close to Alavaara, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alavaara trying to control but Hunt postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alavaara taking some punishment here, with Hunt in his half guard.
Alavaara wants to control but Hunt is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hunt connects with a nice short shot to Alavaara's temple.
Hunt seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Alavaara does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hunt takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Hunt wants to stand up but Alavaara manages to regain full guard.

Hunt drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Alavaara dives on top into guard.
Alavaara is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.

Hunt is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hunt is breathing heavily.
Alavaara tries to free his leg and advance position but Hunt is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hunt is wriggling around but Alavaara manages to pass to half guard.

Hunt looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Alavaara is looking to take a break and control but Hunt is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Alavaara blocks the strikes from Hunt.
Alavaara is keen to just control but Hunt is a slippery customer.
Hunt might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Alavaara sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hunt defending well though.
Alavaara trying to control from half guard but Hunt is working away.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Hunt has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Alavaara.
Hunt swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hunt lands with a left to the head.
Hunt works on Alavaara's body with a couple of short punches.
Hunt is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nice elbow from Alavaara.
Alavaara lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Alavaara lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Alavaara lands a nice elbow.
Hunt takes a shot to the head.
Alavaara with a knee to the head.
Hunt misses with a body punch.
Hunt is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Alavaara pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A short right from Alavaara on the inside.
Alavaara landing knees to the head.
A short uppercut from Hunt.
Alavaara blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Alavaara gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hunt wants to break free but Alavaara has control.
Alavaara gets through Hunt's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Alavaara lands an elbow just above Hunt 's eye.
Hunt takes an elbow to the forehead.
Hunt is trying to break free.

Hunt manages to break the clinch.

Alavaara clinches up against the cage.
Alavaara gets underhooks to prevent Hunt's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Hunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alavaara lands an elbow inside.
Alavaara lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt lands with a right to the head.
Alavaara gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hunt misses with a short punch on the inside.
Alavaara gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hunt is trying to break the clinch but Alavaara has him pressed against the cage.
Hunt wants a takedown but no success here.
Alavaara lands an elbow inside that Hunt shrugs off.
Alavaara gets through Hunt's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hunt blocking some punches.
Hunt throws a head punch that misses.
Hunt lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Alavaara with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Hunt manages to break the clinch.
Hunt takes a swing at Alavaara's ribcage but misses.
Hunt looks for a takedown but Alavaara sprawls well.
A cross from Alavaara lands.
Alavaara tries to close the distance and clinch but Hunt swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head kick misses from Hunt.
Alavaara lands with a slapping head kick.
Hunt fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Hunt dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hunt swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hunt tries to clinch
and Alavaara counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Hunt misses with a straight right.
Alavaara misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hunt shoots in looking for a takedown. Alavaara tries to sprawl out of it but Hunt keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Alavaara manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hunt has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Alavaara.
Hunt takes one on the button.

Alavaara gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Alavaara connects with a knee to the head.
Hunt is working for takedown but Alavaara is calmly controlling the position for now.
Alavaara with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Alavaara.
Hunt tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Hunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Alavaara scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hunt wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Alavaara lands an elbow just above Hunt 's eye.
Alavaara lands an elbow just above Hunt 's eye.
Alavaara working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hunt wants to get back to striking at distance but Alavaara won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt takes an elbow to the temple.
Hunt working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hunt has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Alavaara avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Alavaara with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Alavaara lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hunt misses with a punch on the inside.
Alavaara prevents Hunt from breaking the clinch.
Nice elbow from Alavaara.
Alavaara prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hunt looking for a takedown.
A short left from Alavaara.
Alavaara lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hunt drops down looking for an ankle pick but Alavaara pulls his leg out and moves away.
A shot to the body from Hunt misses

and Alavaara counters by clinching up.
Alavaara landing knees to the head.
Hunt is trying to break the clinch but Alavaara has him pressed against the cage.
Alavaara creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hunt's defenses.
Alavaara softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hunt takes an elbow to the temple.
Hunt is trying to break the clinch but Alavaara has him pressed against the cage.
Alavaara with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Alavaara lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Alavaara doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Alavaara dodges an elbow strike from Hunt.
Alavaara lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Alavaara scores with a knee to the head.
Hunt misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hunt takes an elbow to the forehead.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hunt.
Hunt is looking to break free of the clinch but Alavaara has double underhooks.
Hunt is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A short right from Hunt.
Alavaara lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hunt wants to break the clinch but can't.
Alavaara lands a knee to the head.
Hunt has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Alavaara avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Alavaara prevents Hunt from breaking the clinch.
Hunt is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hunt wants a takedown.
Alavaara creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hunt's defenses.
A shot in the inside from Hunt.
Alavaara throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hunts head.
Hunt can't break the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Alavaara.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hunt creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Alavaara gets through Hunt's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Alavaara connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hunt's face.
Nice elbow from Alavaara.
Alavaara lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hunt backwards.
Hunt is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Alavaara gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hunt jumps guard but Alavaara stands there with Hunt around his waist. Hunt gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Alavaara scores with a knee to the head.
Alavaara lands a nice elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alavaara throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hunt wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Alavaara has him pressed against the cage.
Alavaara with a knee to the head.
Hunt takes a knee right on the jaw!
Alavaara with a knee to the head.
Alavaara lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hunt wants a takedown but no success here.
Alavaara lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Alavaara with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hunt wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Alavaara has him pressed against the cage.
Nice elbow from Alavaara.
Hunt has had enough of the clinch but Alavaara keeps him there for the moment.
Alavaara lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Alavaara landing knees to the head.
Alavaara lands an elbow inside that Hunt shrugs off.

Hunt manages to break the clinch.
Mike Hunt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hunt falls off balance throwing a combination
and Alavaara counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Hunt pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Alavaara fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hunt, pushing him back against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Alavaara creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hunt wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Alavaara scores with a knee to the head.
Alavaara lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Alavaara lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hunt wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Alavaara makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Hunt escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Alavaara takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Alavaara slips a straight right by Hunt.
Hunt throws a leg kick

and Alavaara counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Alavaara lands an elbow that stopped Hunt in his tracks for a moment.
Alavaara lands an elbow that stopped Hunt in his tracks for a moment.
Alavaara with a knee to the head.
Alavaara lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hunt wants to break the clinch but can't.
Alavaara gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Alavaara lands a nice elbow.
Alavaara lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Alavaara lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Alavaara lands with a right to the head.
Hunt lands with a right to the head.
Alavaara lands a damaging elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alavaara gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Alavaara lands an elbow inside that Hunt shrugs off.
Alavaara lands an elbow just above Hunt 's eye.
Alavaara keeps control of Hunt as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Alavaara lands a knee to the head.
Alavaara gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Alavaara comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mauri Alavaara showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Hunt shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Hunt was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hunt looking to finish Alavaara with some ground and pound. This is bad for Alavaara!
Alavaara is trying to escape the mount.
Hunt lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Hunt in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Hunt trying to control but he's not successful this time.
BOOM! Hunt connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Hunt looking to finish with strikes here!
Hunt working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Hunt misses with a head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alavaara slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hunt scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Alavaara has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hunt is working away from the top position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hunt scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Alavaara is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hunt scores with a couple of nice shots.
The fighters are battling for position here. Alavaara manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hunt scoring with some ground and pound.
Hunt distracts Alavaara with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hunt trying to control the position from guard on top but Alavaara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alavaara working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hunt.
Hunt makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hunt throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Alavaara works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alavaara working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hunt.
Hunt cracks Alavaara with a solid left hand.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nice shot by Hunt.
Hunt misses with a double jab
and Alavaara counters with a head kick. That will keep Hunt thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Hunt falls off balance throwing a combination
and Alavaara counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Alavaara lands with a slapping head kick.
Hunt misses with a combination
letting Alavaara counter with a right hand.
Mike Hunt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hunt throws a combination that misses
and Alavaara counters with a two punch combo.
Hunt looks to throw a body kick
and Alavaara counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Hunt is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Hunt punishes Alavaara's body with a nice straight punch.
Alavaara fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hunt manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt clinches but Alavaara breaks the clinch
and Alavaara cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Alavaara gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hunt throws a hook to the side of Alavaara's head but Alavaara sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Alavaara staying out of range there.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Alavaara!
Hunt with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mauri Alavaara is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Alavaara fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Alavaara gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hunt misses with a double jab
and Hunt takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The fighters circling - Hunt throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Alavaara moves away from the strike by Hunt.
Alavaara slips under a jab.
Hunt takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hunt tries to clinch but Alavaara moves away
and Alavaara counters with a head kick.
Alavaara lands a lovely overhand right.
Hunt throws a lazy right hand but Alavaara sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hunt throws a sloppy head kick
and Alavaara counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Hunt is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Alavaara lands a high kick!
Alavaara throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hunt's head.
Hunt's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Hunt duly obliges.
Hunt tries to clinch up

and Alavaara counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Alavaara with a knee to the head.
Alavaara with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A short uppercut from Hunt.
Alavaara's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Alavaara prevents the takedown attempt.
Alavaara blocks the elbow strike.
Nice elbow from Alavaara.
Hunt has Alavaara pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Alavaara manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Alavaara lands an elbow inside that Hunt shrugs off.
Hunt pushes off an throws an elbow but Alavaara leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

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 Mike Hunt.
I think Hunt 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Hunt!