PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kiovani Aro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aksel Stenger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stenger is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Hit2face - Ain't it nice to get hit to the face?. Aksel Stenger told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Aro
vs
Stenger

187 cm
23
193 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

186 cm
22
196 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Conviction
Lion Fightwear

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kiovani Aro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aksel Stenger!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aro lands a really nice looking cross but Stenger seems unphased.
Stenger swings for the body but Aro moves out of range.
Aro was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Stenger's corner calls for a 1-2. Stenger obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Stenger clinches with his opponent.
A short body shot lands from Aro as the two fighters clinch.
Stenger tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Aro lands with a short shot to the head.
Aro lands a left hand.
Aro swings wildly with an uppercut but Stenger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aro prevents a body shot from Stenger.
Stenger throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Aro blocks it with crossed arms.
Aro prevents a body shot from Stenger.
Aro throws an elbow that misses.
A short uppercut from Aro.
Stenger blocking some punches.
Aro stalling in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stenger misses with a body punch.
Stenger throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Aro fails to land.
A shot in the inside from Aro.
Stenger takes an elbow to the forehead.
Aro tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Stenger can't find room to land a body shot as Aro controls the action.
Aro works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Aro lands with a right to the head.
Stenger's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Aro scores with a shot to the side of Stenger's head.
Aro makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Aro blocks an uppercut.
Aro working aggressively here.
Stenger goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Aro lands an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aro scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aro blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Aro tries to throw a body punch but Stenger avoids it by throwing Aro back against the cage.
Stenger fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stenger misses with a punch to the body.
Aro misses with a punch on the inside.
Aro manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Stenger tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Stenger swings wildly with an uppercut but Aro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stenger goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Stenger misses with a knee to the head.
Stenger connects with a nasty looking knee right to Aro's face.
A head punch on the inside from Stenger fails to land.
Aro blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Stenger creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Stenger softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aro.
Aro lands a body shot in the clinch.
Stenger tries to work over Aro's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Aro throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Stenger tries to throw a body punch but Aro avoids it by throwing Stenger back against the cage.
Stenger lands with a short shot to the head.
Aro trying to land knees to the body.
Stenger tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Aro swings wildly with an uppercut but Stenger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stenger misses with a hook from the clinch.
Aro misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stenger blocks an elbow strike from Aro.
Stenger misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stenger tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Aro's elbow.
Aro gets through Stenger's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Stenger with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Stenger with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Stenger using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Aro has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stenger's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Stenger blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Aro working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stenger.
A head punch on the inside from Stenger fails to land.
Aro prevents a body shot from Stenger.
Aro working aggressively here.
Stenger tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Aro's elbow.
Aro lands a shot to the body.
Stenger slowing the pace effectively.
Aro misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kiovani Aro dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Stenger tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aro was well out of range. Poor timing from Stenger.
Aro has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Aro throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stenger.
Stenger throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aro was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Stenger looks for the body kick but Aro saw that one coming.
Stenger misses with a hook to the body
and Aro counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aro fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Stenger.
Stenger looks to throw the jab but Aro is out of range.
Aro throwing a counter right hand but Stenger manages to avoid it.
Stenger tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aro was well out of range. Poor timing from Stenger.
It looked like Aro was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Stenger with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stenger waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aro.
A punch lands to the side of Stenger 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A punch combination from Stenger misses.
Aro avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A quick step to the side and Aro tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aro has taken the fight to the clinch.
Aro blocks an uppercut.
Stenger fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stenger is trying to stall.
Aro fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stenger misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stenger blocking some punches.
Stenger being controlled against the cage.
Aro swings wildly with an uppercut but Stenger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aro's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Stenger swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aro swings wildly with an uppercut but Stenger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stenger misses with a punch on the inside.
Aro managing to block the knees to the body from Stenger.
Stenger managing to block the knees to the body from Aro.
Stenger tries a knee to the head but Aro blocks it.
Stenger can't find room to land a body shot as Aro controls the action.
Aro swings wildly with an uppercut but Stenger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stenger is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Aro fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stenger tries a knee to the head but Aro blocks it.
Stenger doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Aro fails to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aro lands a hook that snaps the head of Stenger backwards.
Stenger blocking some punches.
Aro pushes Stenger back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stenger tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Aro creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Stenger blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Aro fails to land.
Aro lands a right hand that snaps the head of Stenger backwards.
Aro swings wildly with an uppercut but Stenger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aro pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Aro is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stenger can do to turn this around?
Stenger misses with a hook from the clinch.
Aro blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Aro swings wildly with an uppercut but Stenger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stenger tries to work over Aro's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aro lands with a right to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Aro.
Aro tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Stenger tries to work over Aro's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stenger can't find room to land a body shot as Aro controls the action.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aro misses with a punch on the inside.
Aro lands a body shot.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Aro as Stenger tries to tie him up.
Stenger doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stenger blocks a body shot from Aro.
Stenger throws a head punch that misses.
Stenger misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nice body punch from Aro.
Aro lands a left hand.
Stenger lands with a short punch from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kiovani Aro dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Stenger throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Aro is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Stenger misses with a body shot
and Aro counters with a three punch combo that has Stenger backing up. Stenger nods at Aro to acknowledge the strikes.
Stenger moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Stenger finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A punch combination from Aro misses.

Stenger closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Aro lands with a right to the head.
Stenger throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Aro blocks it with crossed arms.
Stenger misses with an elbow over the top.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aro scores with a nice hook to the head.
Stenger tries to throw a body punch but Aro avoids it by throwing Stenger back against the cage.
A short left from Aro.
Stenger tries a knee to the head but Aro blocks it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aro working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aro swings wildly with an uppercut but Stenger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aro throws an elbow that misses.
Stenger dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Aro misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stenger lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Stenger blocks an uppercut.
Stenger misses with the head strike.
Stenger struggles to land a body shot inside as Aro controls his hands.
Stenger has a couple of punches blocked by Aro.
Aro blocks an elbow strike.
Stenger misses with the head strike.
Stenger blocking some punches.
Aro lands a shoulder strike.
Aro lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stenger blocks the elbow strike.
Stenger lands a good knee to the midsection. Aro won't want to take too many of those.
Stenger lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Aro backwards.
Still in the clinch, Stenger scores with a nice short uppercut.
Stenger misses with some punches.
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!
Aro misses with some punches.
Stenger misses with a hook from the clinch.
Aro can't find room to land a body shot as Stenger controls the action.
Stenger trying to stall but Aro improves his position.
Kiovani Aro has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Stenger using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Aro has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Aro lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Stenger swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Aro throws an elbow that misses.
Stenger lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Aro tries a knee to the head but Stenger blocks it.
Stenger misses with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stenger softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Aro lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stenger throws a punch but it's blocked by Aro.
Stenger blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stenger is trying to maintain a safe position but Aro gets an underhook and turns Stenger into the cage.
Stenger lands a right hand that snaps the head of Aro backwards.
Aro lands a right hand.
Stenger misses with a punch to the body.
Stenger misses with a knee to the head.
Aro blocks the elbow strike.
Stenger misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aro.
Stenger tries to throw a body punch but Aro avoids it by throwing Stenger back against the cage.
Aro stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Aksel Stenger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aro being controlled against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aro throws a punch but it's blocked by Stenger.
Stenger gets through Aro's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Stenger throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Aro blocks it with crossed arms.
Stenger working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aro scores with a nice hook to the head.
Stenger swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Aro lands a right hand.
Stenger misses with the head strike.
Aro lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Stenger backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Aro.
Stenger throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stenger misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stenger misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Aksel Stenger.
I think Aro 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kiovani Aro!
An out of breath Kiovani Aro thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
The defeated Aksel Stenger had this to say: 'Maybe i should start to go to gym too.. '.