PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiro Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Emelianenko's entrance music is Казаки - Ой Да . A fine choice. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Emelianenko
vs
Aoki

183 cm
25
229 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

180 cm
25
227 lbs
13 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fedor Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hiro Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko is looking to clinch but Aoki is avoiding it.
Emelianenko tries to clinch there but Aoki circles away.
Emelianenko stuffs the takedown attempt from Aoki. Aoki gets slowly back to his feet.
Aoki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Emelianenko avoids it really well and circles away.
Emelianenko tests Aoki's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Emelianenko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Emelianenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aoki.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown but Emelianenko shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fedor Emelianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hiro Aoki.
Emelianenko tries to close the distance and clinch but Aoki swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Aoki decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Emelianenko is looking for a sweep. Aoki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Emelianenko is defending against the submission attempts here by Aoki.
Aoki throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki is thwarting Emelianenko's attempts to control the position.
Emelianenko slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Emelianenko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Aoki pushing down on Emelianenko's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Aoki seems to be working for a kimura but Emelianenko defends the submission attempt.
Emelianenko moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki wants to control from the top but Emelianenko keeps moving.
Aoki throws a big elbow that misses.
Emelianenko seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Aoki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Aoki pushes down on Emelianenko's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Emelianenko manages to get to full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aoki tries to free his leg and advance position but Emelianenko is retaining full guard.
Emelianenko pulls Aoki in close to prevent any damage.
Emelianenko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki throws an elbow that misses. Emelianenko uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Aoki's guard. Nice move by Emelianenko!

Aoki isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Emelianenko 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 Emelianenko!
Aoki is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Emelianenko off and has taken his back!
Emelianenko has hold of Aoki's arm. He needs to escape this position sooner or later but for now he's happy enough to control the position and prevent the submission attempts.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Aoki working for a choke but Emelianenko is defending well.

Emelianenko preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Aoki.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki is trying to stick to Emelianenko's back but Emelianenko is turning into Aoki. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Aoki's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Emelianenko.

Aoki looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Emelianenko passes into side control.
Aoki is looking for a sweep.
Emelianenko gets to mount! Aoki was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Emelianenko prevents Aoki from getting the reversal.
Emelianenko trying to control but he's not successful this time.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Emelianenko controlling from mount.

Emelianenko is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Aoki to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Aoki shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Fedor Emelianenko will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Aoki shoots in for a double leg but Emelianenko sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Aoki with a lazy takedown attempt
and Aoki takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Emelianenko gets tackled into the cage by Aoki. Aoki maintains the clinch.
Aoki tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Fedor Emelianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hiro Aoki.
Aoki tries to score a body lock takedown but Emelianenko shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Aoki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Emelianenko tries to clinch up but Aoki circles away and keeps his distance.
Aoki throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aoki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Emelianenko avoids it really well and circles away.

Emelianenko tries to keep at a distance but Aoki has taken the fight into the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko is trying to break free.

Aoki breaks from the clinch.
Emelianenko fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Emelianenko closes the distance and pushes Aoki back into the cage.
Aoki can't get the takedown.
Aoki lands a right hand.
Emelianenko prevents the takedown attempt.
Emelianenko lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Aoki.
Aoki is trying to break the clinch but Emelianenko is controlling him.
Aoki swings wildly with an uppercut but Emelianenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Aoki drops down looking for an ankle pick but Emelianenko pulls his leg out and moves away.
Aoki is breathing heavily.
Aoki misses with a hook. Emelianenko ducked under it nicely.

Emelianenko clinches with his opponent.
Emelianenko prevents a takedown attempt there.
Aoki is looking for a takedown.

Emelianenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Aoki tries to keep at a distance but Emelianenko has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Emelianenko gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Emelianenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Aoki is defending well for now.
Aoki changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Emelianenko fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A punch combination from Aoki misses.
Aoki tries to clinch but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Emelianenko connects with a jab.
Aoki misses with an uppercut
and Emelianenko counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Aoki drops his hands momentarily and Emelianenko takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Aoki misses with a lunging right hand
and Emelianenko counters with a right hand to the body.

Emelianenko closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Emelianenko wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Emelianenko taking a breather.
Aoki tries to break the clinch but Emelianenko is controlling the position.

Emelianenko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki is trying hard to land a takedown here. Emelianenko sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Emelianenko is looking to clinch but Aoki is avoiding it.
Aoki misses with a series of wild punches.

Emelianenko drives through and clinches with Aoki against the cage.
Aoki goes for a takedown attempt but Emelianenko pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hiro Aoki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emelianenko slaps away a takedown attempt from Aoki, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Emelianenko drops Aoki with a right and a left! Emelianenko comes rushing in but Aoki regains his composure and manages to keep Emelianenko in guard.

Aoki is rocked!

It looks like Hiro Aoki has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Emelianenko loads up on a big left hand. Aoki felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Emelianenko looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Aoki can't hide his disappointment, as Emelianenko celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Fedor Emelianenko!