PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Richard Cote (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Aaltonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Richard Cote has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cote
vs
Aaltonen

175 cm
22
159 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

170 cm
22
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Very confident

Takomo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Richard Cote!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marcus Aaltonen!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Franklyn Lucas and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Aaltonen with that takedown attempt.
Aaltonen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cote but Cote pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cote dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cote throws a combination. Aaltonen tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Aaltonen scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aaltonen working the strikes but Cote uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Cote is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cote avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Aaltonen.
Aaltonen looks to land a strike but Cote avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Aaltonen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Aaltonen preventing the sweep.
Cote working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Aaltonen.
Aaltonen looks gassed!
Cote controls Aaltonen momentarily but Aaltonen frees himself.
Aaltonen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Aaltonen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Cote throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Cote comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cote lands a nice looking body shot.
Cote cracks a nice hook into Aaltonen's ribs.
Cote stuns Aaltonen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Cote lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aaltonen at a distance.
Cote is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Cote stuns Aaltonen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Cote as he connects with a hook.
Some wild striking there from Cote.
Aaltonen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cote throws a nice looking combination but Aaltonen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Aaltonen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Aaltonen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Cote throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Aaltonen shoots in but no luck this time.
Richard Cote has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcus Aaltonen.
Aaltonen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Cote lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Cote connects with a body shot.
Cote stuffs the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aaltonen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Cote ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Cote fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Aaltonen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Cote scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Aaltonen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cote but Cote pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Aaltonen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Cote is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cote throws the kick towards the body but Aaltonen avoids it.
Aaltonen shoots in looking for a takedown. Cote tries to sprawl out of it but Aaltonen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cote manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cote is looking to wear down Aaltonen with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Cote doesn't manage to clinch there - Aaltonen circles away.
Cote lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Cote stuffs the takedown.
Cote scores with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cote lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aaltonen at a distance.
Cote scores with a nice strike.

Aaltonen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Cote wants to improve his position but Aaltonen is controlling well.
Aaltonen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Aaltonen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cote. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Cote wants to control but Aaltonen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Aaltonen is pressing down on Cote's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cote is holding on for now.
Aaltonen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Aaltonen drops an elbow to the side of Cote's head.
Aaltonen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Aaltonen there.
Cote is trying to control but can't.
Aaltonen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Nice strikes from Aaltonen there.
Aaltonen working the head and body with strikes.
Aaltonen looks to land a strike but Cote avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Cote not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Aaltonen is working Cote over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Aaltonen is looking to work some ground and pound but Cote has wrist control.
Aaltonen passes into half guard.
Aaltonen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cote is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Cote dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Aaltonen.
Richard Cote is winning the standup battle so far.
Aaltonen shoots in and drives through. Cote sprawls well.
Aaltonen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Cote.
No luck for Aaltonen with that takedown attempt.
Richard Cote has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcus Aaltonen.
Cote lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aaltonen at a distance.
Cote digs a good hook to Aaltonen's body.
Cote rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Aaltonen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Cote gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Aaltonen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cote is keeping the position for now.
Cote trying to control the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Aaltonen is in close to Cote's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aaltonen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Cote looking for a sweep. Not yet Cote, not yet.
Aaltonen advances to half guard.
Cote is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Aaltonen scores with a couple of nice shots.
Cote trying to hold on to Aaltonen's head to control him but Aaltonen postures up.
Cote taking some punishment here, with Aaltonen in his half guard.
Aaltonen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Cote avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Aaltonen.
Aaltonen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cote works his way to full guard. Good work.
Aaltonen sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Cote's guard.
Aaltonen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aaltonen moves into full mount! Cote won't be happy about that!
Aaltonen is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Cote is in all sorts of trouble here.
Cote taking shots to the head.
Cote is in all sorts of trouble here.
Aaltonen raining down shots from the mount!
Cote working to try and regain half guard.
Aaltonen postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Cote looks a forlorn figure.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Aaltonen cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aaltonen raining down shots from the mount!
Cote is bucking up trying to escape but Aaltonen cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Aaltonen is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Cote can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Aaltonen lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Aaltonen scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Cote is trying desperately to improve position.
Aaltonen lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Aaltonen with a couple of short strikes.
Cote is in a horrible position here. Aaltonen smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Aaltonen scoring with strikes but Cote is staying in there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A nice elbow there by Aaltonen.
Aaltonen landing strikes, looking to finish!
Aaltonen lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Cote hang on?
Aaltonen lands a big elbow.
Cote slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Marcus Aaltonen has got the better of the ground game so far.
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. Aaltonen connects with a nice short shot to Cote's temple.

Cote actively working from the bottom here.
Aaltonen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Cote is looking to improve his position.
Aaltonen lands strikes from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Aaltonen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Aaltonen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cote looks to score with a jab to the body but Aaltonen is just out of range.
Cote smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Cote is looking to clinch.
Cote cracks Aaltonen with a good jab.
No luck for Aaltonen with that takedown attempt.
Nice shot lands for Cote.
Aaltonen takes one to the side of the head.
Aaltonen throws a body punch but Cote moves out of range.
Cote tries to land a leg kick but Aaltonen saw it coming and moves away.
Cote misses with a wild combination.
Aaltonen has a takedown stuffed.
Richard Cote has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcus Aaltonen.
Cote moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Aaltonen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Cote was covering up waiting for the punch and Aaltonen finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cote not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Aaltonen works over Cote with some ground and pound from guard.
Aaltonen throws and elbow that misses. Cote uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Aaltonen's guard. Nice move by Cote!
Aaltonen tries to strike from the bottom.
Aaltonen trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Aaltonen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cote is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cote displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Aaltonen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cote but Cote pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Donk. Cote catches Aaltonen right on the button with a cross.

Aaltonen gets the takedown into side control.
Cote sneaks back into half guard.
Aaltonen winds up and cracks Cote with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Aaltonen working the head and body with strikes.
Aaltonen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Aaltonen trying to pass the guard but Cote defending well.
Cote tries to get to full guard but Aaltonen has control of the leg.
Cote is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aaltonen lands with a punch from half guard.
Aaltonen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Aaltonen lands a nice short elbow.
Cote keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Aaltonen.
Cote misses with a wild body shot.
Cote throws a shot from downtown. Aaltonen moves away and avoids it.
Aaltonen shoots in and drives through. Cote sprawls well.

Aaltonen drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Aaltonen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Cote utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cote preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Cote wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aaltonen postures up.
Aaltonen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Aaltonen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cote is keeping the position for now.
Cote bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Aaltonen's guard.
Cote stopping the sweep attempt from Aaltonen.
Aaltonen striking from his own guard.
Cote won't allow Aaltonen to sweep him here.
Cote passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Aaltonen landing small, sideways elbows.
Cote is looking to take a break and control but Aaltonen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Aaltonen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Aaltonen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Aaltonen!