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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Imani Idowu (ranked 358 p4p, 442 weight class) and Michael Aalto (ranked 42 p4p, 51 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!
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| 170 cm
36
145
27 - 10 - 1 |
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177 cm
30
153
17 - 10 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Imani Idowu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Aalto!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Idowu swings for the body but Aalto moves out of range.
Idowu throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A combination from Idowu does no damage.
Aalto works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A jab from Idowu misses.
Idowu has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Aalto finds it's way round the side to connect with Idowu's head.
Idowu gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Idowu is pulling down on Aalto's head. It's preventing any offense from Aalto, at least for the moment.
Aalto tries to free his leg and advance position but Idowu is retaining full guard.
Aalto trying to move into half guard but instead Idowu has managed to sweep!
Idowu content to stall in guard here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Idowu preventing the sweep.
Aalto looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Idowu has picked Aalto up and slammed him! Aalto can't keep hold of the triangle and Idowu manages to pass to side control!
Idowu taking a breather here.
Aalto is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Idowu controlling the position from side mount.
Aalto tries to improve position but can't.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Idowu wants to control but Aalto is keeping him busy.
Aalto tries to buck Idowu off but Idowu is having none of it.
Aalto is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Idowu decides to stand back up. Idowu steps back and let's Aalto get back to his feet.
Idowu avoids the body shot from Aalto.
Idowu went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Aalto darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Aalto connects with a leg kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aalto throws a lazy head kick
and Idowu counters with a nice body shot.
Aalto takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Idowu throws a leg kick
and Idowu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Aalto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Idowu lunges at Aalto with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Aalto's hand.
Idowu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Idowu misses with a looping right.
Idowu takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Aalto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
No luck for Aalto with that takedown attempt.
Imani Idowu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Aalto misses
and Idowu counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aalto throws a body shot but no joy.
Aalto looks to throw the jab but Idowu is out of range.
It looked like Idowu wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Aalto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Aalto scores with a nice head shot.
A head kick misses from Aalto.
Idowu was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Aalto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Idowu manages to avoid it.
As Aalto backs away, Idowu returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Aalto is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Idowu.
We've been told by Idowu's head coaches at Hammer House of Horror that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Idowu slips under a jab.
Idowu moves away from the strike by Aalto.
Idowu is looking for a counter combo.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Michael Aalto will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Excellent takedown into side control there by Aalto.
Idowu bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
A combination from Idowu does no damage.
Aalto takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Aalto darts in looking for a takedown but Idowu gets double underhooks and turns Aalto into the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aalto drives through with a takedown into Idowu's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Idowu pushes Aalto off and scrambles back to his feet.
Aalto shoots in for a takedown but Idowu shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Idowu throws a big counter combination but Aalto scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Aalto takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Aalto lands a slapping body shot.
Aalto throws an overhand right that lands on Idowu's shoulder, as Idowu tries to avoid the shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto blocks a head kick by Idowu.
Aalto clinches up against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Idowu.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Aalto swings wildly with an uppercut but Idowu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Idowu working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Idowu.
Aalto lands a body shot in the clinch.
Aalto lands a right hand.
Aalto misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A nice right hand lands inside from Aalto.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aalto.
Still in the clinch, Aalto scores with a nice short uppercut.
Idowu works on Aalto's body with a couple of short punches.
Aalto manages to pull guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aalto working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Idowu has passed into half guard!
The fighters are battling for position here. Aalto manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aalto wants to sweep here but Idowu controlling him for the moment.
Idowu wants to pass the guard but Aalto is keeping the position.
Idowu engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Aalto is on top in guard.
Idowu looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aalto is one step ahead there.
Aalto throws a big elbow that misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aalto postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Aalto throwing strikes from guard but Idowu blocks nicely.
Aalto tries to free his leg and advance position but Idowu is retaining full guard.
Aalto throws a big elbow that misses.
Aalto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Idowu is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Aalto is working Idowu over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Idowu keeping full guard, as Aalto tries to pass.
Aalto throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Idowu works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Idowu is controlling Aalto's posture.
Imani Idowu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Aalto throwing strikes but missing.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Idowu has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Idowu is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Aalto looking to pass the guard.
Idowu pulls Aalto in close to prevent any damage.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Idowu. No joy for Aalto on that attempt.
Idowu is looking to counter with a body kick.
Imani Idowu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Aalto.
Idowu misses with a shot to the body
letting Aalto counter with a right hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Michael Aalto will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Aalto bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Aalto is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Idowu is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Aalto looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Idowu holds on to Aalto's head and controls the position momentarily.
Aalto tries to move to full mount but Idowu actually manages to regain half guard.
Aalto thows a huge punch but Idowu dodges it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aalto wants to free his trapped foot but Idowu is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Idowu trying to hold on to Aalto's head to control him but Aalto postures up.
Idowu controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Aalto is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Idowu reverses the position - he's now on top in Aalto's guard.
Idowu engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Aalto has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Idowu can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Aalto is looking for a triangle but Idowu pushes his legs off easily.
Aalto wants to sweep but no luck.
Idowu stands up from Aalto's guard - Idowu perhaps looking for a knockout.
Idowu scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Aalto doesn't seem bothered though.
Aalto has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aalto has his takedown stuffed
and Idowu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Aalto turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Aalto jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Idowu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Idowu just misses with a punch to the body.
A countering left hand to the body from Aalto misses.
Aalto looks to score with a jab to the body but Idowu is just out of range.
Aalto throws out a leg kick but Idowu moves out of range and Aalto only half commits.
Idowu was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Idowu just misses with a punch to the body.
Imani Idowu is winning the standup battle so far.
Idowu blocks a head kick by Aalto.
Aalto steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Idowu.
Idowu lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aalto at a distance.
Idowu moves forwards but Aalto connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Idowu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Aalto has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Idowu finds it's way round the side to connect with Aalto's head.
Aalto tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Idowu defends well and Aalto ends up having to push Idowu into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Aalto takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Idowu lands a glancing blow to the side of Aalto's head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aalto closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Idowu is positioning himself well to prevent Aalto advancing to mount.
Aalto tries to pass the half guard into mount. Idowu knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Imani Idowu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aalto not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Aalto misses with a head shot. Idowu uses the momentum to regain guard.
Aalto passes Idowu's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Michael Aalto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Idowu wants to get back to his feet.
Idowu gets full guard.
Idowu looking to hit a scissor sweep but Aalto is one step ahead there.
Idowu working for a triangle but Aalto defends it easily.
And that's the end of the fight!
Imani Idowu showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Aalto 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Imani Idowu!
A very excited looking Imani Idowu made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
49% |
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