PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shinya Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Aoki
vs
Russo

180 cm
22
155 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

169 cm
32
165 lbs
10 - 11 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Hopkins Athletics

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinya Aoki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Frankie Russo!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shirou Masuda and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aoki throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Aoki looks to throw the jab but Russo is out of range.
Russo blocks the body kick.
Russo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Shinya Aoki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aoki throws a big shot that misses.
Russo closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown but Russo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A big left from Aoki misses.
Aoki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Russo swivels and escapes.
Russo misses the shot to the body.
Russo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Aoki can pounce on him.

Russo gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Russo seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Aoki drops back, looking for a kneebar! Russo looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Russo looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Russo!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Aoki to see if he's OK.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aoki gets back to half guard.
Aoki regains full guard. Nicely done.
Russo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Aoki. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Russo distracts Aoki with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Russo postures up in Aoki's guard and throws a big left but Aoki blocks it.
Russo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Aoki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Russo is one step ahead there.

Aoki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Russo defends well.
Aoki will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Russo's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Russo distracts Aoki with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aoki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Russo drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Aoki manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Russo has Aoki in his guard.
Aoki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Russo swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aoki drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Russo manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Aoki has Russo in his guard.
Russo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Aoki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Russo wants to control from the top but Aoki keeps moving.
Aoki tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Russo working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Aoki working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Russo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Russo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Russo trying to control but Aoki is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Russo is one step ahead there.
Aoki manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Aoki goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Russo turns into him and now he's in Aoki's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aoki has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Russo has passed into side control.
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 Shinya Aoki will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Aoki fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Russo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aoki.
Aoki throws a low kick, looking for Russo's leg but Russo calmly moves out of range.
Aoki jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Russo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A big right from Russo misses.
Russo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Russo wants it to stay on the feet.
Shinya Aoki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Aoki tries for a takedown but Russo circles away easily

and Russo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Aoki wants to improve his position but Russo is controlling well.

Aoki actively working from the bottom here.

Aoki looking for submissions off his back.

Aoki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Aoki does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Aoki moves into full guard.

Russo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Aoki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Russo defends well.
Russo pushes down on Aoki's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Russo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Aoki's head.
Russo is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Aoki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Aoki regains full guard. Nicely done.
Russo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki looking for a sweep. Not yet Aoki, not yet.
Russo working some strikes from top position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Aoki is looking for a triangle here but Russo uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Aoki is trying to improve his position.
Frankie Russo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Russo wants to control but Aoki is keeping him busy.
Aoki takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Russo scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Aoki to see if he's OK.
Aoki gets back to half guard.
Aoki makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Aoki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo working some strikes from top position.
Russo preventing the sweep.
Russo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Russo looking to pass the guard.

Aoki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Russo defends well.
Russo stopping the sweep attempt from Aoki.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Russo's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Aoki looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aoki throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Russo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Russo lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Russo scoring with punches to the head and body.

Aoki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Russo defends it easily.
Aoki keeping full guard, as Russo tries to pass.
Russo's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Aoki looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Russo lands a couple of digs.
Russo won't allow Aoki to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Frankie Russo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Aoki shoots in but no luck this time.
Aoki looks to land a combination but Russo avoids it well.
Aoki fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Russo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Aoki is fending him off so far but Russo persists. Nope, Aoki circles away and we're back to standing.
Russo avoids the body shot from Aoki.
Russo has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Aoki finds it's way round the side to connect with Russo's head.
Aoki shoots in for a double leg but Russo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Aoki dodges the punch combination from Russo.
Aoki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Aoki shoots in but Russo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shinya Aoki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aoki misses the jab.

Russo shoots in and gets a takedown into Aoki's guard.
Russo distracts Aoki with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Aoki is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo landing some decent shots from guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Aoki has momentary wrist control but Russo slips an elbow through the middle.

Aoki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Aoki is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Russo seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Aoki looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Russo with a nice head shot there.

Aoki has his foot on Russo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Russo works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki keeping moving, preventing Russo from controlling successfully.
Russo showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Russo postures up and lands a big shot to Aoki's brow.

Aoki is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Russo is aware though and is defending well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Aoki looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Russo works over Aoki with some ground and pound from guard.
Russo stands up over Aoki, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Aoki wants to sweep here but Russo controlling him for the moment.
Russo content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Russo controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Aoki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aoki has his foot on Russo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Russo works his way back into a safe position though.
Aoki wants to sweep here but Russo controlling him for the moment.
Russo works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Russo trying to control from half guard but Aoki is working away.
Aoki tries to get to full guard but Russo has control of the leg.
Russo lands with a punch from half guard.
Russo tries to pass to full mount but Aoki defends it.
Aoki tries to get to full guard but Russo has control of the leg.
Aoki taking some punishment here, with Russo in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo lands strikes from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Russo lands a nice short elbow.
Russo looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Aoki with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aoki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Russo drops an elbow to the side of Aoki's head.
Russo is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Russo in particular looking to stall.
Aoki moves into full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Aoki looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aoki keeping moving, preventing Russo from controlling successfully.
Russo is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frankie Russo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Russo 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frankie Russo!