PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Taiki Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Venum Tree Knee Dad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aoki comes to the cage accompanied by Cudi the Kid. Tree Knee Dad has chosen Not Falling by Mudvayne as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Aoki
vs
Tree Knee Dad

170 cm
20
150 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

170 cm
21
152 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Taiki Aoki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Venum Tree Knee Dad!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Shigeki Fujiwara and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aoki is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Aoki fails in his attempt to clinch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Aoki.
A combination from Aoki does no damage.
Aoki fails to land with a series of punches.

Tree Knee Dad tries to keep at a distance but Aoki has taken the fight into the clinch.
Aoki is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Tree Knee Dad is defending well.
Aoki is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tree Knee Dad pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Aoki lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Tree Knee Dad is defending against the submission attempts here by Aoki.

Tree Knee Dad looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aoki is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Aoki is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tree Knee Dad sees it coming and defends easily.
Tree Knee Dad gets full guard.

Tree Knee Dad is looking for a triangle but Aoki pushes his legs off easily.
Tree Knee Dad avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tree Knee Dad not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Aoki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tree Knee Dad controls Aoki momentarily but Aoki frees himself.
Tree Knee Dad might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Aoki haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Aoki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tree Knee Dad has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Aoki has managed to get both his arms back between Tree Knee Dad's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki postures up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Aoki connects with a couple of short punches.
Aoki throwing strikes but missing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Tree Knee Dad is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Aoki is aware though and is defending well.

Tree Knee Dad is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Aoki defends well.
Aoki looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.

Tree Knee Dad is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Aoki is aware though and is defending well.
Tree Knee Dad has momentary wrist control but Aoki slips an elbow through the middle.
Aoki trying to control but Tree Knee Dad is working from the bottom.
Aoki wants to pass the guard but Tree Knee Dad is keeping the position.
Tree Knee Dad is trying to control the position but Aoki postures up.

Tree Knee Dad has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Aoki can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Aoki with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tree Knee Dad is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Aoki is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Aoki passes Tree Knee Dad's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Aoki is trying to control the action in half guard but Tree Knee Dad is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Tree Knee Dad manages to get to full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Tree Knee Dad looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Aoki lands a couple of digs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Tree Knee Dad is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Aoki is aware though and is defending well.
Tree Knee Dad controls Aoki momentarily but Aoki frees himself.

Tree Knee Dad working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Aoki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Aoki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
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 Taiki Aoki will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Aoki misses with a combination

and Tree Knee Dad counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tree Knee Dad.
Tree Knee Dad tries to free his leg and advance position but Aoki is retaining full guard.
Tree Knee Dad passes into half guard.
Tree Knee Dad wants to control but Aoki is keeping him busy.
Aoki makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Aoki.
Tree Knee Dad trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad is looking to work some ground and pound but Aoki has wrist control.
Tree Knee Dad throwing strikes from guard but Aoki blocks nicely.
Tree Knee Dad pushing down on Aoki's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Aoki is positioning himself well to prevent Tree Knee Dad advancing to mount.
Tree Knee Dad wants to free his trapped foot but Aoki is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tree Knee Dad is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Aoki tries to roll over but Tree Knee Dad keeps him under control.
Aoki is trying to maintain the position but Tree Knee Dad is very close to passing his half guard.
Tree Knee Dad works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki tries to hold on but Tree Knee Dad postures up.
Aoki is working to get back to half guard.
Aoki is working hard here to advance position.
Aoki tries to control the position but Tree Knee Dad now has his back.

Tree Knee Dad is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Tree Knee Dad looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Aoki is controlling Tree Knee Dad 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki trying to control the position from guard on top but Tree Knee Dad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Aoki drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Aoki jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aoki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Venum Tree Knee Dad has got the better of the ground game so far.
Aoki is pushing down on Tree Knee Dad's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tree Knee Dad is fighting to maintain full guard but Aoki has managed to sneak the leg through.
Tree Knee Dad is looking for a sweep. Aoki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
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!

Tree Knee Dad looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Venum Tree Knee Dad showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Aoki looks to throw the jab but Tree Knee Dad is out of range.
Tree Knee Dad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Aoki connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tree Knee Dad. Tree Knee Dad circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nice shot by Aoki.
Aoki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Aoki wants to clinch up but Tree Knee Dad keeps it at a distance.
Tree Knee Dad swats away the attempt to clinch by Aoki.
Aoki lands a nice looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aoki darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Tree Knee Dad tries to roll over but Aoki keeps him under control.

Aoki wants to work for an arm triangle but Tree Knee Dad is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Aoki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tree Knee Dad keeps working.
Tree Knee Dad tries to kick Aoki off but Aoki keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Tree Knee Dad moves into full guard.
Aoki with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tree Knee Dad has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Aoki can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aoki trying to control but Tree Knee Dad is working from the bottom.
Tree Knee Dad is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Tree Knee Dad escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Aoki gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aoki is in close to Tree Knee Dad's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Aoki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Tree Knee Dad working for a triangle but Aoki defends it easily.
Aoki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Tree Knee Dad looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Aoki trying to control but Tree Knee Dad is working from the bottom.
Aoki postures up.
Tree Knee Dad preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tree Knee Dad keeping full guard, as Aoki tries to pass.
Aoki wants to control from the top but Tree Knee Dad keeps moving.

Tree Knee Dad has his foot on Aoki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Aoki works his way back into a safe position though.
Aoki scoring with some ground and pound.
Aoki is pushing down on Tree Knee Dad's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tree Knee Dad is fighting to maintain full guard but Aoki has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Tree Knee Dad is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Aoki is looking to stall here but Tree Knee Dad recovers full guard.

Aoki drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Aoki jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Tree Knee Dad is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Aoki is aware though and is defending well.

Tree Knee Dad had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Aoki defends it easily.
Aoki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tree Knee Dad keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.
Aoki stops Tree Knee Dad from standing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taiki Aoki showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Aoki has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Taiki Aoki!
A very excited looking Taiki Aoki made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.