PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jose Aldo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Remedios Verzosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Aldo might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Rough Rida. 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.

Aldo
vs
Verzosa

180 cm
33
185 lbs
17 - 12 - 0

185 cm
29
190 lbs
24 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jose Aldo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Remedios Verzosa!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Shimada and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Verzosa throws the left hand but Aldo avoids the punch easily.
Aldo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Verzosa throws a body punch but Aldo moves out of range.
Verzosa works Aldo's body with a nice hook.
Verzosa throws a hook but Aldo avoids it easily.
Aldo on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Verzosa cracks Aldo with a right hand to the side of the head.
Verzosa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Verzosa lands a jab to the nose.
Jose Aldo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aldo connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Aldo tries to clinch but Verzosa moves away
and Verzosa counters with a stiff right hand.
Verzosa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aldo.
Aldo slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Aldo ducks under a wild hook from Verzosa.
Verzosa looks to score with a jab to the body but Aldo is just out of range.
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!
Verzosa lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verzosa lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Verzosa lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Aldo wants to clinch.
Verzosa throws a shot to the body.
Verzosa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Verzosa slips under a jab.
Nice defenses there by Verzosa.
Verzosa looks to throw the jab but Aldo is out of range.
Aldo avoids the body shot from Verzosa.
Aldo misses the shot to the body.
Aldo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Aldo takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aldo misses with a looping right.
Verzosa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aldo.
Verzosa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Aldo but Aldo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A jab from Aldo finds it's way through Verzosa's defenses.
Verzosa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Verzosa lands a body shot.
Verzosa lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aldo jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Aldo throws a looping overhand right but Verzosa ducks down to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Verzosa. Aldo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice defenses there by Aldo.
Verzosa rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Aldo counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Verzosa closes the distance and clinches up with Aldo, looking for a takedown. Verzosa pushes Aldo against the cage but Aldo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Verzosa.
Aldo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Verzosa.
Verzosa scores with a hook to the body. Aldo takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Aldo catches Verzosa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Verzosa shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Aldo napping and manages to drive through into side control!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Aldo is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Verzosa off and has taken his back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aldo misses with punches from the back.
Aldo is hanging on to Verzosa's back as he tries to escape.
Aldo keeps control of the position easily here as Verzosa tries to buck him off.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Verzosa defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Aldo is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Verzosa biding his time here by controlling the hands, looking to escape.
Aldo is hanging on to Verzosa's back as he tries to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
I would not like to be Verzosa right now.
Aldo is not going to allow Verzosa to sit and survive in this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Remedios Verzosa will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Aldo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Aldo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Verzosa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Aldo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Aldo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Aldo tries to clinch up.
Aldo blocks a jab.
Aldo tries to clinch but Verzosa moves out of range.
Aldo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Aldo throws the left hand but Verzosa avoids the punch easily.
Verzosa takes a swing at Aldo's ribcage but misses.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Aldo checks a leg kick.
Aldo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Aldo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Verzosa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verzosa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aldo was well out of range. Poor timing from Verzosa.
Aldo takes one to the side of the head.
Verzosa misses the shot to the body.
Verzosa fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Verzosa ducks under a wild hook from Aldo.
Donk. Aldo catches Verzosa right on the button with a cross.
Verzosa misses with a low kick as Aldo jumps back.

Aldo darts in and clinches Verzosa up against the cage.
Verzosa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Aldo digs a right hand into Verzosa's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Verzosa's gas tank.
Aldo prevents the takedown attempt.
Aldo throws a head punch that misses.
Aldo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Aldo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Verzosa can't find room to land a body shot as Aldo controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aldo works on Verzosa's body with a couple of short punches.
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!
Verzosa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Verzosa tries to pull guard but Aldo won't allow it.

Verzosa lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Verzosa is keen to just control but Aldo is a slippery customer.
Aldo is looking to control Verzosa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Aldo avoid being mounted?
Verzosa passes to side control.
Verzosa lands a nice forearm strike.
Aldo is trying to get back to half guard.
Aldo takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Verzosa tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa working away.
Verzosa misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Aldo is trying to escape the position but Verzosa is controlling the position.
Verzosa postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Aldo struggling a bit here.
Verzosa postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Verzosa has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Verzosa is looking to take a break and control but Aldo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sloppy strikes there by Verzosa.
Aldo regains half guard.
Aldo is staying active underneath Verzosa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Aldo on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aldo tries to roll over but Verzosa keeps him under control.
Aldo tries to kick Verzosa off but Verzosa keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Aldo is staying active underneath Verzosa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Verzosa is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Aldo is pressing down on Verzosa's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aldo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Verzosa throws an elbow that misses. Aldo uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Verzosa's guard. Nice move by Aldo!
Verzosa trying to keep a closed guard but Aldo is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Remedios Verzosa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Verzosa blocks a jab.

Aldo instigates a clinch.
Verzosa tries to pull guard but Aldo won't allow it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Aldo.
Aldo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Aldo pushes Verzosa back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Aldo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Aldo lands a body punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aldo can't find room to land a body shot as Verzosa controls the action.
Aldo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Aldo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Verzosa looking to slow down the pace here.
Aldo misses with a punch on the inside.
Verzosa stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Verzosa throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Verzosa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aldo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Verzosa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Aldo as Verzosa tries to tie him up.
Aldo lands a right hand.
Jose Aldo has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Still in the clinch, Aldo scores with a nice short uppercut.
Aldo tries to throw a body punch but Verzosa avoids it by throwing Aldo back against the cage.
Aldo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Aldo lands a left hand.
Aldo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Verzosa struggles to land a body shot inside as Aldo controls his hands.
Aldo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Aldo misses with a punch on the inside.
Aldo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Verzosa blocks an uppercut.
Verzosa lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Verzosa tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jose Aldo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Remedios Verzosa.
Aldo throws a punch but it's blocked by Verzosa.
Aldo misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aldo lands with a left to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aldo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Verzosa has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Aldo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Verzosa is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Aldo gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Aldo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Aldo works on Verzosa's body with a couple of short punches.
Verzosa blocks an uppercut.
Aldo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Aldo works on Verzosa's body with a couple of short punches.
Aldo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Aldo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Verzosa tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Aldo smiles and moves away.
Verzosa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Aldo tries to clinch but Verzosa is having none of it.
Aldo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Verzosa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aldo missing with a left hand there. Verzosa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Verzosa looks to land a right hand but Aldo moved out of range.
Aldo connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Verzosa missing with a left hand there. Aldo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Aldo works the jab nicely.
Aldo lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Verzosa closes the distance and clinches up with Aldo, looking for a takedown. Verzosa pushes Aldo against the cage but Aldo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Verzosa misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Aldo makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A big right from Aldo misses.
Aldo wants to clinch.
Jose Aldo is winning the standup battle so far.
A telegraphed right hand from Verzosa misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aldo catches Verzosa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Aldo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Verzosa keeps the fight on the outside.
Aldo lands a head shot.
Verzosa misses the shot to the body.
Verzosa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aldo.
Verzosa scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Aldo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Verzosa scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Aldo doesn't manage to clinch there - Verzosa circles away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Verzosa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Verzosa thows a body shot but no joy.
Jose Aldo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Aldo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Aldo clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A big right from Aldo misses.
Aldo misses with a wild body shot.
A swing and a miss from Verzosa.
Aldo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Aldo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Verzosa shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Aldo manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Aldo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Aldo manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Aldo moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Verzosa has worked his arm free - good work by Verzosa!
Verzosa wants to control but Aldo postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aldo looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Verzosa gets back to half guard.
Verzosa is trying to maintain the position but Aldo is very close to passing his half guard.
Verzosa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Aldo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aldo is trying to control. Verzosa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Verzosa is looking for a sweep. Aldo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Aldo is looking to advance position but Verzosa won't allow it.
Verzosa is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

Aldo seems to be looking for submissions.
Aldo wants to free his trapped foot but Verzosa is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa regains full guard. Nicely done.

Verzosa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Aldo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Aldo is sitting in close to Verzosa's body. Verzosa has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Aldo is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Aldo is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Verzosa.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:35 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Remedios Verzosa! Remedios Verzosa retains his middleweight title!
After the big win, Remedios Verzosa made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Brute and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.