PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Vesa Sykk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taiki Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aoki is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Cudi the Kid. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Sykk
vs
Aoki

172 cm
20
155 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

170 cm
20
150 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

DJs Locker
Fighters First Nutrition Amsterdam 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Vesa Sykk!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Taiki Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Hirohito Nitta and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aoki instigates a clinch.
Aoki taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Aoki taking a breather.
Aoki struggles to land a body shot inside as Sykk controls his hands.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sykk creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sykk taking a breather.
Sykk throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Aoki blocks it with crossed arms.

Aoki turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Aoki throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Sykk is not content to let Aoki control the position.
Sykk tries to bench press Aoki off him but Aoki keeps the position.
Aoki is working Sykk over with some ground and pound from side control.
Sykk is trying to control Aoki's posture but Aoki avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykk tries to buck Aoki off but Aoki is having none of it.

Aoki goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Sykk has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Aoki but great work by Sykk.
Aoki holds on to Sykk's head and controls the position momentarily.
A lull in the action here as Sykk stalls from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykk working away.
Sykk controls the position.
Aoki gets back to half guard.
Sykk controlling the action here.
Sykk trying to advance position but Aoki counters by regaining guard.
Aoki can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sykk controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sykk stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Aoki swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Vesa Sykk wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Aoki.
Aoki working the head with strikes.
Aoki throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Sykk can't do much from the bottom here.
Sykk is trying to improve his position.
Aoki 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sykk is trying to get back to half guard.
Aoki working the ground and pound from side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An elbow from Aoki crashes against the mat.
You can see the frustration on Sykk's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Aoki lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Aoki lands a decent elbow from side control.
Sykk on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aoki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sykk keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taiki Aoki dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sykk shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Sykk was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Taiki Aoki has got the better of the ground game so far.

Sykk tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sykk has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Sykk taking a breather here.
Sykk working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Sykk seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Aoki is trying to control Sykk's posture but Sykk avoids it.
Sykk trying to control the action but Aoki is working from the bottom.

Sykk wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Aoki, who protects the arm well.
Aoki tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykk misses with the ground and pound.
Sykk trying to control the action but Aoki is working from the bottom.
Aoki struggling a bit here.
Sykk remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Aoki tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Sykk stalls from top position.
Aoki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sykk has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Aoki tries to buck Sykk off but Sykk is having none of it.
Sykk is looking to take a break and control but Aoki is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aoki tries to buck Sykk off but Sykk is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki is not content to let Sykk control the position.
Sykk throws a strike aimed at the side of Aoki's head but Aoki avoids it well.
Aoki tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sykk wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Sykk wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aoki keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vesa Sykk dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Aoki.
Aoki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sykk swivels and escapes.
Aoki misses with a takedown attempt - Sykk sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vesa Sykk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taiki Aoki.

Aoki has managed to clinch.
Sykk blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Aoki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sykk is trying to stall.
Aoki throws a head punch that misses.
Stalling in the clinch from Aoki.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aoki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Aoki tries a body shot but Sykk blocks it.
Aoki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Sykk takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Aoki misses with a punch to the body.
Aoki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sykk gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Aoki drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sykk pulls his leg out and moves away.
Taiki Aoki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki swings widly with a right hand
and Sykk counters with a slapping leg kick.

Aoki gets a clinch.
Aoki misses with a hook to the ribs.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Sykk.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sykk misses with a punch to the body.
Aoki misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sykk taking a breather.
Aoki misses with a hook to the ribs.
Aoki struggles to land a body shot inside as Sykk controls his hands.
Sykk slowing the pace effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sykk tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Aoki misses with a punch to the body.
Aoki misses with a body punch.
Aoki looking to slow down the pace here.
Sykk throws an elbow but it misses.
Still in the clinch, Sykk scores with a nice short uppercut.
Aoki works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Sykk lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Aoki managing to block the knees to the body from Sykk.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Aoki has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sykk after a bit of a struggle.
Sykk lands an uppercut.
Sykk misses with an elbow over the top.
Aoki tries a body shot but Sykk blocks it.
A body shot lands from Sykk.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
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!

Aoki has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Sykk is trying to keep an underhook but Aoki manages to get the takedown into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aoki is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Aoki trying to control from half guard but Sykk is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taiki Aoki really dominated that round.
That's time! Sykk's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A swing and a miss from Aoki.
Sykk ducks under a wild hook from Aoki.
Sykk throws a right hand that misses

and Aoki moves into the clinch.
Aoki has a couple of punches blocked by Sykk.
Aoki throws a head punch that misses.
Taiki Aoki seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Aoki tries to throw a body punch but Sykk avoids it by throwing Aoki back against the cage.
Aoki struggles to land a body shot inside as Sykk controls his hands.
Sykk pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Aoki misses with a punch to the body.
Sykk lands an elbow inside.
Sykk prevents a body shot from Aoki.
Sykk lands an elbow that stopped Aoki in his tracks for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykk blocks an uppercut.
Aoki displaying some good clinch control by pressing Sykk up against the cage.

Aoki has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Sykk clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Sykk breaks Aoki's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Aoki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sykk is one step ahead there.
Sykk missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Aoki looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Sykk puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykk is pressing down on Aoki's thigh, looking to free his foot. Aoki is holding on for now.
Aoki is trying to get back to full guard.
Sykk is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Sykk with a flurry of punches that miss.
Aoki wants to hit a switch here but Sykk passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Aoki there!
Sykk tries to control but Aoki wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sykk swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Aoki is now in Sykk's guard. A big mistake from Sykk there, giving up the dominant position!

Sykk looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Aoki with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sykk utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Sykk looking for a guillotine here but Aoki defends easily.
Aoki trying to control but Sykk is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sykk working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Aoki.
Aoki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sykk swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Aoki trying to control but Sykk is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aoki throwing strikes but missing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taiki Aoki dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Aoki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sykk.
Aoki doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Horrible takedown by Aoki or perhaps it was just good defense by Sykk which made him look bad.
Sykk checks a leg kick nicely.

Aoki rushes Sykk and presses him up against the cage.
Sykk prevents a body shot from Aoki.
Aoki tries to throw a body punch but Sykk avoids it by throwing Aoki back against the cage.
Aoki can't find room to land a body shot as Sykk controls the action.
Aoki taking a breather.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Aoki swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Aoki tries to throw a body punch but Sykk avoids it by throwing Aoki back against the cage.
Aoki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Aoki misses with a punch on the inside.
Aoki is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sykk is keeping busy.
Sykk lands with a light punch inside.
Aoki working aggressively here.
Aoki misses with a punch on the inside.
Aoki takes an elbow to the temple.
A short left from Sykk.
Aoki blocks the elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki avoids a wild elbow strike from Sykk.
Aoki can't find room to land a body shot as Sykk controls the action.
Aoki is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Aoki controlling the action here for a moment.
Aoki wants a takedown.
Sykk working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sykk dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Sykk being controlled against the cage.
Knees to the body from Sykk.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sykk prevents a body shot from Aoki.
Sykk gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Aoki.
Vesa Sykk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taiki Aoki.
Stalling in the clinch from Aoki.
Sykk stalling.
Aoki is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sykk is keeping busy.
Aoki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sykk has a couple of punches blocked by Aoki.
Aoki is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sykk prevents a body shot from Aoki.
Aoki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sykk's elbow.
Sykk prevents a body shot from Aoki.
Aoki looking to slow down the pace here.
Sykk lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Taiki Aoki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Aoki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Aoki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sykk lands a body shot in the clinch.
Sykk lands with a short shot to the head.
Vesa Sykk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aoki misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Taiki Aoki.
Well Aoki has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 46:49
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 46:49
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taiki Aoki!
Taiki Aoki is the new featherweight champion!
A victorious Taiki Aoki thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.