PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Takaya Aiba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aldred Lebeng (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.

Aiba
vs
Lebeng

225 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
23
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Solid 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 Tokyo, Takaya Aiba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Aldred Lebeng!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Sano and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aiba is looking to chop away at Lebeng's legs.
Aiba avoids the head kick by Lebeng.
Some wild striking there from Aiba.
Lebeng changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Aiba tries to avoid it but Lebeng manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Aiba to the ground. Aiba escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lebeng looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Aiba swats away the attempt to clinch by Lebeng.
Lebeng is looking to clinch but Aiba is avoiding it.
Aiba shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lebeng as he avoids it easily.
Lebeng feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Aiba's calf.
Lebeng fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Aiba moves into the clinch.
A body shot lands from Lebeng.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aiba jumps guard.
Aiba will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Lebeng trying to control the position from guard on top but Aiba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Aiba has his foot on Lebeng's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lebeng works his way back into a safe position though.
Lebeng stopping the sweep attempt from Aiba.
Aiba pulls Lebeng in to control the position.
Aiba wants to sweep here but Lebeng controlling him for the moment.
Lebeng wants to control from the top but Aiba keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lebeng throws a big right hand that misses.
Lebeng must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Aiba keeping moving, preventing Lebeng from controlling successfully.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Aldred Lebeng hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Lebeng throws out a loose jab but Aiba uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aiba misses with a takedown attempt - Lebeng sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Aiba sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Lebeng sizes up Aiba with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Lebeng pushes Aiba up against the cage in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Aiba pulls guard successfully.
Aiba looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Aiba is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aiba throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lebeng trying to control but Aiba is working from the bottom.
Lebeng wants to stand and escape but instead Aiba has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Lebeng being controlled here, momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lebeng wants to stand up but Aiba is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aiba is looking to work some ground and pound but Lebeng has wrist control.
Lebeng is trying to keep Aiba in close.
Lebeng keeping moving, preventing Aiba from controlling successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Takaya Aiba has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Aiba leaves Lebeng with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Aldred Lebeng will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lebeng lets loose with a powerful body kick. Aiba will feel that in the morning.
Aiba shoots in for a double leg but Lebeng sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Lebeng rushes Aiba and presses him up against the cage.
Lebeng tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Aiba smiles and moves away.
Aiba shoots in looking for a takedown but Lebeng manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Aiba's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lebeng is looking to slow Aiba down with leg kicks.
Aiba tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lebeng swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lebeng shoots in but Aiba avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Lebeng wants to clinch up but Aiba keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Aiba as Lebeng shoots in.
Takaya Aiba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aldred Lebeng.
Aiba shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lebeng but Lebeng pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Aiba clinches up against the cage.
Aiba is trying to break free.
Aiba has Lebeng pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lebeng manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lebeng is trying to break the clinch but Aiba has him pressed against the cage.
Aiba has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Lebeng is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lebeng is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Aiba to keep the fight standing.
Lebeng is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Aiba gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Aiba tries to pull guard but Lebeng won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aiba is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Aiba tries for a takedown. No joy.
Aiba wants to take the fight to the mat but Lebeng manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Lebeng is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Aiba is trying to break the clinch but Lebeng has him pressed against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Aiba really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Lebeng tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Aiba just stands there and leans against the cage.
Aiba throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lebengs head.

Lebeng breaks the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aiba displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lebeng.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lebeng looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Aiba forces Lebeng back against the cage and clinches.
Lebeng is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Aiba to keep the fight standing.
Aiba tries to score a body lock takedown but Lebeng shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Aiba drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Lebeng gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lebeng misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Aiba changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lebeng fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lebeng tries a head kick but it misses.
Lebeng slaps away a takedown attempt from Aiba, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lebeng shoots in for a double leg but Aiba sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lebeng scores with a shot to the body.
Lebeng shoots for a double leg takedown but Aiba sprawls well. He's pushed Lebeng's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Aiba clinches up with Lebeng and pushes him back against the cage.
Lebeng tries to pull guard but Aiba won't allow it.
Aiba misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Aldred Lebeng will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Aiba shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aiba swats away the attempt to clinch by Lebeng.

Aiba drives through and clinches with Lebeng against the cage.
Aiba tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lebeng just stands there and leans against the cage.
Aiba gets underhooks to prevent Lebeng's takedown attempt.
Aiba tries for a takedown but Lebeng manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takaya Aiba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aiba avoids a wild elbow strike from Lebeng.

Aiba manages to break the clinch.
Aiba is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Aiba doesn't manage to clinch there - Lebeng circles away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Lebeng with that takedown attempt.
Lebeng stuffs the takedown.
Lebeng fails in his attempt to clinch.
Aiba shoots in but Lebeng avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Takaya Aiba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Aiba tries to clinch up but Lebeng circles away and keeps his distance.
Lebeng shoots in for a takedown but Aiba shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Aiba as Lebeng shoots in.

Aiba moves into the clinch.
Aiba pushes Lebeng back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Aiba manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lebeng rushes Aiba and presses him up against the cage.
Lebeng is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Aiba is defending well.
Lebeng is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Aiba pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Aiba breaks the clinch.
Aiba tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lebeng paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lebeng throws a sloppy head kick and Aiba moves out of range easily.
Aiba fails with the takedown.
Aiba shoots in for a takedown but Lebeng shows good takedown defense.
Aiba throws a hook but Lebeng blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lebeng misses with an uppercut. Aiba saw that one coming.
Aiba throws a series of punches but Lebeng avoids them all with ease.
Lebeng tries to clinch but Aiba moves out of range.
Lebeng moves in looking to clinch but Aiba pushes him off.
Aiba shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lebeng pinned against the cage. Lebeng gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Aiba showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lebeng.
Lebeng tries to clinch but Aiba moves out of range.
Lebeng misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aiba moves into the clinch successfully.
Aiba effectively controlling the action here.
Aiba tries to pull guard but Lebeng forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Lebeng breaks the clinch.
Lebeng tries to bum rush Aiba with a series of wild strikes but Aiba uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Aiba clinches with his opponent.

Aiba drags the fight down to the ground.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aiba keeping moving, preventing Lebeng from controlling successfully.
Lebeng stopping the sweep attempt from Aiba.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takaya Aiba showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Lebeng has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aldred Lebeng!