PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Chicharito Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Aldo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Velasquez
vs
Aldo

180 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
153 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Chicharito Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jose Aldo!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Hugh Johnson and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aldo lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Velasquez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aldo circles away.
Velasquez tries for a takedown but Aldo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Aldo throws a shot from downtown. Velasquez moves away and avoids it.
Aldo lands a body shot.
Aldo jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The fighters circling - Aldo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Aldo misses with a series of wild punches.
Aldo lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Velasquez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Aldo as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chicharito Velasquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aldo misses with an uppercut. Velasquez saw that one coming.
Aldo scores with a hook to the body. Velasquez takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Chicharito Velasquez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aldo misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez throws a combination that misses
and Aldo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Velasquez walks into a straight right hand from Aldo.
Velasquez tries to move into range but Aldo moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Aldo ducks under a wild hook from Velasquez.

Velasquez shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Aldo's guard.
Velasquez is breathing heavily.
Velasquez trying to control the position from guard on top but Aldo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Velasquez stays in close to Aldo's body and controls the position.
Aldo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Velasquez is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez is looking to work some ground and pound but Aldo has wrist control.
Velasquez wants to control from the top but Aldo keeps moving.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Aldo scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Aldo comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Velasquez has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aldo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Velasquez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Jose Aldo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Aldo lands a jab to Velasquez's midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Aldo coming out on top.
Aldo scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Aldo scores with a body shot.
Velasquez takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Aldo lands with a straight right. Velasquez didn't see that one coming.
Velasquez shoots for a takedown but Aldo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Aldo lands a slapping body shot.
Aldo scores with a one two! Velasquez had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Aldo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Decent striking displayed by Aldo there.
Velasquez moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Aldo is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Velasquez had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aldo closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Velasquez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Aldo throws out the jab.
Aldo scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Velasquez shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Aldo manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Velasquez trying to control but Aldo is working from the bottom.
Aldo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Velasquez.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Velasquez advances to half guard.
Ground and pound from Velasquez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Aldo dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Aldo works the jab nicely.
Velasquez will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Aldo digs a good body shot into Velasquez's ribs.
Aldo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Aldo wants it to stay on the feet.
Chicharito Velasquez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jab from Aldo.
Aldo catches Velasquez with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Velasquez shoots in but no luck this time.
Jose Aldo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Aldo getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Aldo lands a jab-cross combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Aldo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Aldo lands with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Velasquez 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Aldo digs a good hook to Velasquez's body.
Aldo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Aldo getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Aldo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The crowd cheers as Aldo lands an impressive looking overhand right. Velasquez doesn't seem phased though.
Velasquez throws a combination that misses
and Velasquez takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Aldo throws a series of punches but Velasquez avoids them all with ease.
Velasquez moves out of range of the strikes.

Velasquez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Aldo can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Aldo dodges the ground and pound from Velasquez.
Velasquez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aldo keeps working.
Aldo tries to escape but Velasquez is in control.
Aldo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Velasquez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Velasquez staying calm.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez stands up.
Aldo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Velasquez doesn't manage to clinch there - Aldo circles away.
Velasquez with a poor takedown
and Aldo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chicharito Velasquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nice straight punches there by Aldo. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Aldo.

Velasquez moves into the clinch successfully.
Aldo is trying to break the clinch but Velasquez has him pressed against the cage.
Aldo tries to break the clinch but Velasquez is controlling the position.
Velasquez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Aldo pulls his leg out and moves away.
Aldo sizes up Velasquez with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Velasquez dives in and grabs Aldo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Aldo pushes down on Velasquez's head and hops out.
Aldo cracks Velasquez with a right hand to the side of the head.
Velasquez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Aldo as he jumps to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Aldo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Velasquez on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Velasquez shoots in but no luck this time.
Velasquez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Aldo scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Velasquez drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Velasquez walks into a stiff left hand from Aldo.
Aldo lands with a cross.
Velasquez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Aldo tries to avoid it but Velasquez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Aldo to the ground. Aldo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Velasquez on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Aldo looks to land a combination but Velasquez avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez moves forwards but Aldo connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Velasquez moves in looking to clinch but Aldo pushes him off.
Aldo ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nice shot by Aldo.
Aldo lands with a nice body punch.
Aldo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Velasquez at a distance.
Velasquez takes one to the chin there.
Nice body punch from Aldo.
Aldo scores with a sloppy right hand. Velasquez should have avoided that one.
Velasquez looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Velasquez shoots for a takedown but Aldo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chicharito Velasquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aldo lands with an uppercut that bounces Velasquez off the cage and back into rage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aldo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Velasquez throws out the jab.
Aldo connects with a body shot.
Aldo misses with a few strikes there.
Velasquez shoots in looking for a takedown. Aldo tries to sprawl out of it but Velasquez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Aldo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Aldo throws a right and a left that Velasquez avoids nicely.
Aldo throws a body punch but Velasquez moves out of range.
Velasquez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Aldo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Aldo is fending him off so far but Velasquez persists. Nope, Aldo circles away and we're back to standing.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Velasquez.
Aldo moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Velasquez tries for a takedown but Aldo circles away easily
and Aldo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Aldo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Aldo wants it to stay on the feet.
Aldo fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Aldo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Velasquez manages to avoid it.
Velasquez looks for a takedown but Aldo sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Aldo tests Velasquez's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Velasquez shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Velasquez was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Velasquez punishing his opponent with strikes.
Aldo is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Velasquez lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Velasquez has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Velasquez is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Aldo can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Chicharito Velasquez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jose Aldo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Velasquez landing strikes, looking to finish!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jose Aldo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Aldo 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jose Aldo!