PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Minato Tokugawa (ranked 1835 p4p, 3489 weight class) and Aaron Spears (ranked 268 p4p, 468 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Tokugawa
vs
Spears

191 cm
20
217
5 - 0 - 0

186 cm
23
200
6 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Minato Tokugawa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aaron Spears!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Columbo Gatti and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spears throws a big shot that misses.
Spears misses with a hook.
Jab by Spears.
Spears slips a jab from Tokugawa.

Tokugawa moves into the clinch successfully.
Tokugawa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tokugawa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tokugawa lands a left hand that snaps the head of Spears backwards.

Spears pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Spears catches Tokugawa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A big left from Tokugawa misses.
Tokugawa takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Tokugawa gets a clinch.
Tokugawa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Spears has had enough of the clinch but Tokugawa keeps him there for the moment.

Tokugawa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tokugawa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tokugawa ducks under a wild hook from Spears.
Spears has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Tokugawa is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Spears misses with a straight right.
Good exchange - Tokugawa coming out on top.
Tokugawa scores with a punch to the head.
Tokugawa throws the left hand but Spears avoids the punch easily.
Spears moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Spears rushes Tokugawa and presses him up against the cage.
Tokugawa lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Spears.

Spears breaks from the clinch.
Spears fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tokugawa checks it well.
Tokugawa throwing a counter right hand but Spears manages to avoid it.
Tokugawa lands a jab to the head.
Spears goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Spears throws a shot from downtown. Tokugawa moves away and avoids it.

Spears shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tokugawa is trying to defend but Spears finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tokugawa controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Spears wants to take a breather but Tokugawa is having none of it.

Spears is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tokugawa sees it coming and defends easily.

Spears is looking for submissions but instead, Tokugawa has regained full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spears loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spears trying to control but Tokugawa is working from the bottom.
Tokugawa pulls Spears in close to prevent any damage.

Spears drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tokugawa manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Spears has Tokugawa in his guard.

Spears has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tokugawa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Spears escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tokugawa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tokugawa wants to control from the top but Spears keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tokugawa slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Spears working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tokugawa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tokugawa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tokugawa trying to control the position from guard on top but Spears is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tokugawa is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Takeda Clan Gym that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

Tokugawa avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tokugawa wants to control from the top but Spears keeps moving.
Tokugawa stopping the sweep attempt from Spears.
Tokugawa controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Spears looking for a guillotine here but Tokugawa defends easily.

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.

Spears is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Spears keeping moving, preventing Tokugawa from controlling successfully.
Tokugawa is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Spears keeping moving, preventing Tokugawa from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Spears uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tokugawa.
Spears swings for the body but Tokugawa moves out of range.
Spears drops his hands momentarily and Tokugawa takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Spears lands with a nice body kick.
Spears tries to clinch
and Tokugawa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tokugawa tries to close the distance and clinch but Spears swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Minato Tokugawa will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Spears looks to land a left hand but Tokugawa moved out of range nicely.
Spears's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Spears duly obliges.
Tokugawa moves forwards but Spears connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Spears moves out of range as Tokugawa strikes.
Tokugawa loads up on a big right hand but Spears slips the punch.
Spears tries a quick counter leg kick but Tokugawa is wise to it.
Aaron Spears seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spears connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tokugawa. Tokugawa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Spears is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tokugawa slips a jab and a cross from Spears.
Spears lands the left hand.
Tokugawa misses with the combination.
Spears changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tokugawa looks to throw the jab but Spears is out of range.
Spears blocks a jab.
Tokugawa gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Spears drives through with a takedown into Tokugawa's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Spears forces his way into half guard.

Spears is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tokugawa has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tokugawa trying to hold on to Spears's head to control him but Spears postures up.

Spears is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tokugawa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Spears.

Spears is working for an americana but Tokugawa has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Spears was thinking about the submission.
Spears keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tokugawa's head.
Spears landing with the ground and pound.
Spears pushes down on Tokugawa's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spears scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Spears is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tokugawa defends it well.
Spears seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Spears looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Tokugawa is doing well to control the position and prevent Spears from advancing to side control.
Tokugawa works his way to full guard. Good work.
Spears stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tokugawa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tokugawa seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Spears lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tokugawa seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tokugawa wants to sweep here but Spears controlling him for the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Spears accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tokugawa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Spears looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Aaron Spears has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tokugawa is trying to control. Spears wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tokugawa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Spears's head.
Tokugawa is keen to just control but Spears is a slippery customer.

Spears looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Spears is on the bottom, trying to hold on to half guard. He's throwing a few small shots here, to keep his opponent honest.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tokugawa is looking to take a break and control but Spears is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Spears works his way to full guard. Good work.

Spears escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tokugawa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Spears wants to sweep but no luck.
Tokugawa trying to control but Spears is working from the bottom.

Spears escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tokugawa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Spears is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tokugawa is stalling in the full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Spears 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!

Spears scores with a nice right hand.
Tokugawa is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Tokugawa walks into a straight right hand from Spears.
Tokugawa lands with a hook. Spears tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Tokugawa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Spears swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tokugawa.
Spears lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Tokugawa tests Spears's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jab from Spears.
Spears throws a shot from downtown. Tokugawa moves away and avoids it.
Spears misses with a few strikes there.
Spears will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A little feinted left hand from Tokugawa on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spears misses with an uppercut. Tokugawa saw that one coming.
Tokugawa lands a head shot.

Tokugawa rushes Spears and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Spears's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No joy there for Tokugawa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tokugawa throws a nice looking combination but Spears bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spears swats away the attempt to clinch by Tokugawa.
Spears keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Spears misses with a hook. Tokugawa ducked under it nicely.
Jab by Tokugawa.
Spears takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Tokugawa cracks Spears with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Spears looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Tokugawa finish him?

Spears is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spears misses with an uppercut.
Tokugawa swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Spears is still on wobbly legs! Can Tokugawa finish him?
Spears ducks under a wild hook from Tokugawa.
Spears ducks under a wild hook from Tokugawa.
Tokugawa shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Tokugawa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Spears seems to have recovered his senses.
Tokugawa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Spears.
Spears connects with the punch.
Spears bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Tokugawa throws a jab but it's blocked by Spears.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spears has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Spears tries to break free but Tokugawa pushes him back against the cage.
Tokugawa misses with a hook from the clinch.

Spears breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Spears thumps Tokugawa with a low kick.
Spears throws a lazy right hand but Tokugawa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tokugawa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Spears manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A big right from Tokugawa misses.
Tokugawa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Tokugawa misses the target.
Tokugawa throws an overhand right that lands on Spears's shoulder, as Spears tries to avoid the shot.
Tokugawa thuds a left hand into Spears's body.
Tokugawa walks into a left hand.
Aaron Spears seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tokugawa walks into a jab.
Spears connects with a single shot there.
Spears blocks a jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Spears pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Tokugawa back to the cage. Spears follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Spears takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spears throws a hook but Tokugawa avoids it easily.
Tokugawa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Spears.
Spears is looking to score with low kicks.

Tokugawa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tokugawa lands a left hand that snaps the head of Spears backwards.

Spears breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Spears displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tokugawa throws out the jab.
Tokugawa throws a big shot that misses.
Spears uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tokugawa has time to react.
A jab from Tokugawa finds it's way through Spears's defenses.
A punch lands to the side of Spears 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Tokugawa throws out a loose jab but Spears uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tokugawa staying out of range there.
Tokugawa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Spears tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tokugawa scores with a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spears connects with a body shot that sends Tokugawa's belly button to the back.
Spears misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tokugawa drops his hands momentarily and Spears takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Minato Tokugawa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice jab there from Spears.
Tokugawa slips under a jab from Spears.
Spears lands a nice shot that snaps Tokugawa's head back.
Spears cracks Tokugawa with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tokugawa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Spears.
Tokugawa dodges the punch combination from Spears.
Spears takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tokugawa lands with an uppercut that bounces Spears off the cage and back into range.
Spears moves out of range of the strikes.
Tokugawa gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Spears uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tokugawa.
Tokugawa looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Tokugawa thuds a left hand into Spears's body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tokugawa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tokugawa lands with a straight right. Spears didn't see that one coming.
Tokugawa moves in looking to clinch but Spears pushes him off.

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 Minato Tokugawa.
I think Tokugawa 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!