PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marco Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinya Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aoki has chosen Nina simone - Feeling good as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The key to victory for Marco Belfort has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Belfort
vs
Aoki

175 cm
22
165 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
162 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Solid chin

Fight King Nutrition
No Bull

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Marco Belfort!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shinya Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aoki swats away the attempt to clinch by Belfort.
Belfort misses with a two punch combination.

Aoki drives through and clinches with Belfort against the ropes.
Belfort wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Belfort tries a body shot but Aoki blocks it.

Aoki drags the fight down to the ground.

Aoki is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Belfort is looking to work some ground and pound but Aoki has wrist control.
Aoki tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Belfort works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Aoki regains full guard. Nicely done.
Aoki looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aoki trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Belfort drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Aoki dives on top into guard.

Aoki thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Belfort is looking for a triangle but Aoki pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aoki drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Aoki jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Belfort avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Belfort is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Belfort looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Aoki passes into half guard.
Belfort is breathing heavily.

Aoki is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Aoki not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Belfort is defending against the submission attempts here by Aoki.

Belfort is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Aoki pulls his head out easily.
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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Aoki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Belfort defending well though.

Belfort looking for submissions off his back.
Belfort wants to improve his position but Aoki is controlling well.
Belfort is pressing down on Aoki's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Aoki stops Belfort from standing up.
Aoki postures up.

Aoki drops back looking for a leg! Belfort is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Belfort manages to kick Aoki off! Aoki jumps back into Belfort's guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Aoki showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Belfort.
Aoki circles away from the clinch attempt

and Aoki counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Belfort changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Aoki fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort drops Aoki with a left and a right! Oh, Aoki is hurt - Belfort dives into side control looking to finish!

It looks like Shinya Aoki has been cut.
Belfort throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Aoki regains half guard.
Aoki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Belfort thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Belfort trying to control from half guard but Aoki is working away.
Belfort works his way into side control.
Belfort scoring with punches and elbows.
Belfort looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Aoki is avoiding damage well.

Belfort wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Aoki, who protects the arm well.
Aoki takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Aoki is trying to get back to half guard.

Belfort is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Aoki is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Belfort has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Aoki takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Belfort mounts Aoki! Really nice guard pass there!

Belfort looking to secure an arm triangle but Aoki defends it well.
Aoki manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Belfort wants to free his trapped foot but Aoki is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Belfort frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Belfort working away from the top, dropping strikes.

Belfort working for a submission but Aoki is keeping him at bay.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Belfort dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shinya Aoki's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Belfort shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Aoki is defending against the submission attempts here by Belfort.
Belfort throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Marco Belfort overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Belfort trying to mount his opponent but Aoki defends it.

Aoki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Belfort is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Aoki!
Belfort can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Aoki is looking to escape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Aoki can't escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Belfort has control of Aoki's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Aoki regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Belfort 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.
Aoki is trying to escape the mount.
Belfort postures up and connects with a big shot that has rocked Aoki badly. He's trying desperately to grab hold of Belfort around the waist but Belfort pushes him off and unloads with more strikes, forcing the referee to jump in and save him! Belfort is the winner by TKO! Belfort jumps onto the ropes and shouts into the camera. "We did it momma!"

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Marco Belfort!