PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jack Hinuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masakazu Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Aoki's choice of entrance music: Sandstorm by Darude. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hinuri
vs
Aoki

175 cm
26
153 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

155 cm
31
147 lbs
21 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jack Hinuri!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Masakazu Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Frank Dennis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hinuri scores with a nice right hand.
Masakazu Aoki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aoki misses with an uppercut. Hinuri saw that one coming.

Aoki looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Hinuri!
Hinuri gets back to half guard.
Aoki is trying to control. Hinuri wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hinuri keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Aoki throwing shots but Hinuri is blocking nicely.
Hinuri is trying to get back to full guard.
Aoki thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Aoki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Aoki missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Aoki working the head and body with strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aoki throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Aoki tries to pass to full mount but Hinuri defends it.
Aoki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hinuri defending well though.
Hinuri is not content to let Aoki control the position.
Aoki lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hinuri blocking the ground and pound attempt from Aoki.
Hinuri regains full guard. Nicely done.
Aoki throwing strikes from guard but Hinuri blocks nicely.
Hinuri is pulling down on Aoki's head. It's preventing any offense from Aoki, at least for the moment.
Aoki looking to pass the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hinuri is on top in guard.

Aoki isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Hinuri stacks Aoki on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Hinuri!
Aoki is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Aoki is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hinuri tries to pass the half guard into mount. Aoki knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Hinuri 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.
Aoki tries to get to full guard but Hinuri has control of the leg.
Aoki makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Aoki.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hinuri trying to control but Aoki is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Aoki is on top in guard.
Aoki trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki throwing strikes from guard but Hinuri blocks nicely.
Aoki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Aoki postures up and lands a big shot to Hinuri's brow.
Aoki connects with a couple of short punches.
Hinuri wants to sweep here but Aoki controlling him for the moment.
Aoki cracks Hinuri with a solid left hand.
Hinuri seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Hinuri is trying to control the position but Aoki postures up.
Aoki is looking to work some ground and pound but Hinuri has wrist control.
Aoki keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hinuri's head.
Hinuri working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Aoki.
Aoki is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Aoki postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hinuri wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki trying to control the position from guard on top but Hinuri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aoki tries to free his leg and advance position but Hinuri is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hinuri is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Hinuri trying to land knees to the body.
Hinuri prevents a body shot from Aoki.
Hinuri gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Aoki.
Aoki is looking to break free of the clinch but Hinuri has double underhooks.
Aoki goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hinuri prevents it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Aoki is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Jack Hinuri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masakazu Aoki.
Hinuri tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Aoki's elbow.
Hinuri is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Aoki pulls him back up using the underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hinuri thuds his shin into the meat of Aoki's side.
Hinuri misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hinuri with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Aoki decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Aoki is looking to advance position but Hinuri won't allow it.
Hinuri wants to get back to full guard.
Aoki is looking to take a break and control but Hinuri is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hinuri slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hinuri keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aoki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Aoki lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
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!
Hinuri bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Aoki's guard.
Aoki is controlling Hinuri's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hinuri wants to control from the top but Aoki keeps moving.

Aoki looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hinuri wants to control from the top but Aoki keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Jack Hinuri just wasn't active enough.
Hinuri explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Aoki with a poor takedown
and Hinuri counters with a left to the body.
A right-left combo lands from Hinuri.
Aoki cracks Hinuri with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hinuri lands a slapping body shot.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hinuri as he avoids it easily.
Aoki is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki misses with a hook. Hinuri ducked under it nicely.
Hinuri fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Aoki on the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hinuri ducks under a wild hook from Aoki.
Hinuri throws a series of punches but Aoki avoids them all with ease.
Aoki moves forwards but Hinuri connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hinuri cracks the inside of Aoki's front leg.
Aoki on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Aoki throws a poor cross that misses
and Hinuri cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hinuri lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Aoki throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hinuri tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Aoki is in Hinuri's guard.
Hinuri has control of Aoki's left arm, preventing Aoki from doing any damage.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Aoki stopping the sweep attempt from Hinuri.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jack Hinuri has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Aoki looks to land a left hand but Hinuri moved out of range nicely.
Aoki lands a really nice looking cross but Hinuri seems unphased.
Aoki takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hinuri is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hinuri thumps Aoki with a low kick.
Aoki jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Aoki avoids the body shot from Hinuri.
Aoki misses with a looping left.
Hinuri connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Jack Hinuri is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hinuri as he jumps to the side.
Jack Hinuri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masakazu Aoki.
Hinuri ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hinuri throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hinuri lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hinuri scores with a leg kick.
Jack Hinuri is winning the standup battle so far.
Hinuri lands a jab-cross combination.
A right-left combo lands from Hinuri.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A combination from Hinuri does no damage.
Hinuri is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Aoki takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nice body punch from Aoki.
Hinuri misses with a leg kick.
Aoki thows a body shot but no joy.
The fighters circle momentarily. Aoki darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Aoki misses with a straight left.
Hinuri rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Aoki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Aoki thows a left - swing and a miss!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hinuri takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Aoki might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A decent looking cross lands there for Aoki.
Hinuri displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Aoki throws out the jab.
Aoki jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jack Hinuri will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hinuri stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Some wild striking there from Aoki.
Aoki lands a head shot.
Hinuri looks to land a right hand but Aoki moved out of range.
Aoki throws a combination that misses
and Hinuri counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Aoki tries for a takedown but Hinuri circles away easily
and Hinuri cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Aoki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hinuri counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hinuri lands a head kick. Aoki smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Hinuri uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Aoki.
Hinuri lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Hinuri cracks Aoki with an open hand slap.
Aoki looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Aoki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Aoki takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Aoki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Aoki misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hinuri lands a front kick.
Aoki catches Hinuri with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Hinuri swinging wildly here.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown but Hinuri shows good takedown defense.
Jack Hinuri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masakazu Aoki.
Hinuri cracks the inside of Aoki's front leg.
Hinuri displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Aoki throws out the jab.
Hinuri lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aoki at a distance.
Aoki attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hinuri shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Aoki eats them both and turns towards Hinuri to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Aoki takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hinuri lands with a nice combination. Aoki backs away looking to recover.
Hinuri throws a head kick that Aoki semi-blocks.
Aoki thows a left - swing and a miss!
A slapping leg kick lands for Aoki.
Hinuri slips under a jab from Aoki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hinuri throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
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!
Aoki moves forwards but Hinuri connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hinuri takes a swing at Aoki's ribcage but misses.
Aoki throws a leg kick but Hinuri sees it coming and moves out of range.
Aoki looks to land a right hand but Hinuri moved out of range.
Nice cross by Hinuri.
Aoki getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sloppy strikes from Hinuri. Those never looked like landing.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hinuri but Hinuri pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hinuri throws out a powerful jab.
Aoki closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hinuri circles away.
Aoki closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A head kick from Hinuri lands but Aoki takes it in his stride.
Aoki misses with a low kick.
Hinuri throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hinuri avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Aoki takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Aoki takes one to the side of the head.
Aoki just misses with a punch to the body.
Hinuri misses with a wild combination.
Aoki looks to score with a jab to the body but Hinuri is just out of range.
Aoki on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Hinuri is looking to clinch but Aoki is avoiding it.
Aoki tries for a takedown but Hinuri sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jab from Hinuri.
Aoki throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A swing and a miss from Aoki.
Hinuri cracks Aoki with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Aoki looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hinuri is fending him off so far but Aoki persists. Nope, Hinuri circles away and we're back to standing.
A punch lands to the side of Aoki 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hinuri works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Aoki has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Hinuri connects with a solid leg kick.
Hinuri scores with a jab.
Hinuri works the jab nicely.

Aoki closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hinuri to the mat! Hinuri manages to get full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hinuri working a defensive guard here.
Aoki looking to pass the guard.
Hinuri manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Hinuri is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Aoki is surviving well by controlling Hinuri's body position as best he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Hinuri clearly takes that round.
That's time! Hinuri's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice sprawl there from Hinuri as Aoki shoots in.
Hinuri tries to bum rush Aoki with a series of wild strikes but Aoki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Aoki takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hinuri lands with a nice body punch.
Aoki has a takedown stuffed.
Aoki throws a looping overhand right but Hinuri ducks down to avoid it.
Aoki throws a lazy right hand but Hinuri sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Aoki chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hinuri can pounce on him.
Hinuri lands a nice shot to the body.
Good leg kick by Aoki there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
No joy there for Hinuri, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Aoki shoots for a takedown but Hinuri saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jack Hinuri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masakazu Aoki.
Aoki is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Hinuri showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Aoki.
Aoki takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hinuri digs a good body shot into Aoki's ribs.
Hinuri slaps away a takedown attempt from Aoki, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Aoki ducks right into an uppercut from Hinuri.
Hinuri plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Aoki shoots in and drives through. Hinuri sprawls well.
Aoki fails with a takedown attempt.
Aoki's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Hinuri throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hinuri bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Aoki's head backwards.
Aoki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hinuri avoids it really well and circles away.
Aoki gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hinuri.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Hinuri tenderised Aoki's leg. Aoki is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hinuri with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Aoki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hinuri misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hinuri uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Hinuri throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nice cross by Hinuri.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aoki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A good leg kick by Hinuri.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Aoki turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Hinuri tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Aoki wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Masakazu Aoki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Aoki scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Hinuri to see if he's OK.
Aoki misses with the ground and pound.

Aoki decides to stand up, so the ref orders Hinuri to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aoki shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Aoki thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hinuri's head.
Aoki is thwarting Hinuri's attempts to control the position.
Aoki throwing shots but Hinuri is blocking nicely.
Aoki thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hinuri's head.
Hinuri trying to control here.
Hinuri is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Aoki is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Aoki missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hinuri gets full guard.
Aoki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Aoki with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aoki tries to free his leg and advance position but Hinuri is retaining full guard.
Hinuri preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Hinuri is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Aoki rolls with it to try and escape but Hinuri cranks on the arm and Aoki is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:42 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jack Hinuri!
Jack Hinuri retains his featherweight title!