PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Helio Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinji Aoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shinji Aoshi will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Gracie
vs
Aoshi

185 cm
26
205 lbs
12 - 12 - 0

180 cm
30
220 lbs
5 - 8 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 12 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Helio Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinji Aoshi!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shirou Masuda and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aoshi is looking to land body kicks.
Gracie dives in and grabs Aoshi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Aoshi pushes down on Gracie's head and hops out.
Aoshi throws a head kick that misses.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Aoshi tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Aoshi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Helio Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aoshi thuds his shin into the meat of Gracie's side.
Aoshi throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Aoshi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gracie closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aoshi circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoshi throws a head kick that misses

and Gracie counters with a shoot takedown. Aoshi fights it but they end up in guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Aoshi keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Aoshi wants to stand and escape but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gracie stands and throws Aoshi's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Gracie tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Aoshi wants to get back to his feet.

Gracie decides to stand up, so the ref orders Aoshi to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aoshi digs a good body shot into Gracie's ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoshi throws a body kick the misses

and Gracie counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gracie tries to pass the half guard into mount. Aoshi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Aoshi is looking to escape.
Gracie passes to full mount!
Gracie fails to advance to Aoshi's back.
Aoshi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gracie. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Aoshi is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Gracie looking for a guillotine from mount but Aoshi is having none of it.
Aoshi has given up his back here. Will Gracie look for the submission or keep pounding away?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aoshi preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Gracie.
Aoshi is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Gracie off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Aoshi controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

Gracie is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aoshi is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Gracie is cranking Aoshi's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Aoshi! He's tightened the choke and Aoshi is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Helio Gracie!