PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Niko Ahonen (ranked 1170 p4p, 1641 weight class) and Shape Shifter (ranked 178 p4p, 250 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Ahonen
vs
Shifter

190 cm
26
206
7 - 4 - 0

191 cm
27
215
10 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA ðŸï¸

Vegan Gains
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Niko Ahonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Shape Shifter!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Steven Brown and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ahonen throws a leg kick

and Shifter counters with a shoot takedown. Ahonen fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shifter wants to pass the guard but Ahonen is keeping the position.
Shifter working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Shifter avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Ahonen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Shifter throws a big elbow that misses.
Shifter slips nicely into half guard.

Shifter looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shifter is looking for a kimura but Ahonen is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shifter to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shifter not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Shifter prevents Ahonen from improving his position.

Shifter is looking for a kimura here.
Ahonen has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Shifter wants to free his trapped foot but Ahonen is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ahonen is looking for a sweep. Shifter is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Shifter is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ahonen defends it well.
Ahonen trying to hold on to Shifter's head to control him but Shifter postures up.
Ground and pound from Shifter.

Shifter is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahonen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Ahonen is defending against the submission attempts here by Shifter.
Ahonen tries to roll over but Shifter keeps him under control.

Shifter is looking for a kimura here.
Shifter thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ahonen's head.

Shifter looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahonen is trying to maintain the position but Shifter is very close to passing his half guard.
Ahonen tries to get to full guard but Shifter has control of the leg.

Shifter is working for a submission of some sort.
Ahonen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ahonen working a defensive guard here.
Shifter looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Shifter is looking to work some ground and pound but Ahonen has wrist control.
Shifter slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Shifter throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Shifter wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ahonen, who protects the arm well.

Shifter swings around for an armbar but Ahonen sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Shifter's guard.
Our spies down at at London MMA Club inform us that Shifter has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Ahonen wanted to stand there but Shifter had control of the position.

Ahonen stands up and waves to Shifter to follow him.
Shifter uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ahonen.
Shifter drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ahonen defends it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ahonen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shifter was well out of range. Poor timing from Ahonen.
Shifter steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Ahonen.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ahonen stuffs the takedown.
A shot to the body from Ahonen misses

so Shifter counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Shifter won't allow Ahonen to sweep him here.

Shifter drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shifter jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Shifter drops back looking for a leg! Ahonen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ahonen manages to kick Shifter off! Shifter jumps back into Ahonen's guard.
Shifter tries to free his leg and advance position but Ahonen is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shifter scoring with some ground and pound.

Shifter has gone for a leg lock! Ahonen slips out almost immediately though and dives into Shifter's guard.

Shifter has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ahonen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shifter has a closed guard, preventing Ahonen from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahonen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shape Shifter has got the better of the ground game so far.

Shifter is looking for a triangle but Ahonen pushes his legs off easily.
Ahonen trying to control but Shifter is working from the bottom.
Ahonen would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Shifter looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ahonen is one step ahead there.

Shifter has his foot on Ahonen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ahonen works his way back into a safe position though.
Ahonen trying to stand up but can't free himself from Shifter's guard.
Ahonen landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Shifter avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Shifter is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ahonen wants to get up but he can't break Shifter's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Shifter throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Ahonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Shifter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ahonen throwing strikes but missing.

Ahonen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ahonen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Shifter working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ahonen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ahonen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shifter is looking for a triangle but Ahonen pushes his legs off easily.

Shifter looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ahonen wants to stand but Shifter has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Shifter looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ahonen is looking to stand up but Shifter won't let him.

Shifter is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ahonen is aware though and is defending well.
Ahonen wants to get up but he can't break Shifter's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ahonen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shifter is keeping the position for now.

Ahonen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Shifter has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ahonen has managed to get both his arms back between Shifter's legs - danger averted.
Ahonen has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Shifter is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ahonen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Shifter is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ahonen is aware though and is defending well.
Ahonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Shifter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ahonen is pushing down on Shifter's leg trying to pass to half guard. Shifter is fighting to maintain full guard but Ahonen has managed to sneak the leg through.

Ahonen is looking for a kimura here.

Shifter looking for submissions off his back.

Ahonen seems to be looking for submissions.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ahonen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Shifter sees it coming and defends easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Shape Shifter will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A telegraphed right hand from Ahonen misses the target.
Shifter drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ahonen defends it well.
Ahonen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shifter was well out of range. Poor timing from Ahonen.
A low kick from Ahonen misses

and Shifter counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Shifter is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ahonen sees it coming and defends easily.
Ahonen gets full guard.
Shifter throws a big elbow that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shifter trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ahonen trying to control the position.

Ahonen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Shifter defends it easily.
Shifter stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ahonen swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shifter throws a big right hand that misses.
Ahonen wants to stand but Shifter is controlling the position.
Ahonen is trying to control the position but Shifter postures up.
Shifter passes Ahonen's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ahonen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Shifter's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Shifter's back!

Shifter defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Ahonen's arms.
Shifter can't escape the position.
Shifter breaks Ahonen's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Shifter tries to free his leg and advance position but Ahonen is retaining full guard.
Shifter keeps trying to improve his position.
Niko Ahonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shifter throws a big elbow that misses.
Ahonen wants to sweep but no luck.
Ahonen can't keep his opponent in guard - Shifter advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Shifter is thwarting Ahonen's attempts to control the position.

Shifter is looking for a kimura here.
Ahonen wants to control but Shifter is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Ahonen looking for submissions off his back.

Shifter is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ahonen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shifter.
Shifter works his way into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shifter is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ahonen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Ahonen is trying to improve his position.

Shifter is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ahonen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Shifter tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Shifter swings around for an armbar but Ahonen sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Shifter's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shifter throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ahonen wants to get up but he can't break Shifter's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ahonen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Shifter is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ahonen defends well.
Ahonen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Ahonen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Shifter is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Shifter throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Ahonen escapes and throws Shifter's legs to the side, diving into side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Shape Shifter.
I've got Shifter winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shape Shifter!