PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Masakazu Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Williams (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aoki comes to the cage accompanied by Sandstorm by Darude. Williams comes into a darkened arena with his song building. All the Above- Maino ft. T-Pain kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Aoki
vs
Williams

155 cm
43
147 lbs
40 - 23 - 1

185 cm
42
140 lbs
43 - 24 - 3

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

VIRAL COMBAT

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 40 - 23 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Masakazu Aoki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 43 - 24 - 3, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paul Williams!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Matheus Silva and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aoki tries to clinch but Williams moves out of range.
Williams scores with a head kick. Aoki tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Masakazu Aoki has been cut.
Aoki thuds a left hand into Williams's body.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown but Williams shows good takedown defense.
Aoki tries a low kick but Williams avoids it.
Aoki shoots in but no luck this time.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Williams chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Aoki rushes Williams and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Aoki has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Williams avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masakazu Aoki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aoki has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Williams after a bit of a struggle.
Williams gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Aoki.
A short left from Aoki.
Williams wants to get back to striking at distance but Aoki won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams wants to break free but Aoki has control.

Aoki lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Aoki keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Aoki is stalling here. Williams is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Aoki seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Williams has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Aoki might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Aoki regains half guard.
Williams with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Williams tries to stand but can't do so whilst Aoki controls his leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Williams 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.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Paul Williams.
Aoki moves out of range as Williams strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aoki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Aoki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Williams avoids it really well and circles away.
Aoki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Williams swivels and escapes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Williams counters with a straight right hand.
A solid leg kick lands there for Aoki.
Nice defenses there by Aoki.
Aoki takes a jab right on the kisser.
Good leg kick by Williams there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Aoki is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Williams.
Williams getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Aoki fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A big left from Williams misses.
Williams is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Aoki scores with the left hand. Williams knows he should have avoided that one.
Williams swings for the body but Aoki moves out of range.
Aoki scores with a nice head shot.
Aoki staying out of range there.
Williams is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Aoki.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki looks to land a combination but Williams avoids it well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Williams misses with a looping left.
Aoki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Williams gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Aoki fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Williams, pushing him back against the cage.

Williams breaks the clinch.
A jab from Aoki misses.
Aoki throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A big right from Aoki misses.
Aoki thows a left - swing and a miss!
Williams throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Aoki stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Aoki is looking to clinch but Williams is avoiding it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Williams misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Williams is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Aoki closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Williams pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Aoki lands with an uppercut that bounces Williams off the cage and back into range.
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 Masakazu Aoki will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Masakazu Aoki's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Aoki misses with a looping left.
Aoki misses the shot to the body.
Williams attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Aoki wants to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Aoki misses the target.
Williams blocks a jab.
Aoki dodges the punch combination from Williams.
Aoki bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Aoki pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Williams throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aoki throws a hook but Williams avoids it easily.
A big right from Aoki misses.
Aoki misses with a left hand
and Williams counters with a nice body shot.
Aoki avoids a punch combination nicely.
A cross from Williams lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams tries to move into range but Aoki moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Williams tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aoki was well out of range. Poor timing from Williams.
Williams lands a right hook to the body.
Williams misses with a wild body shot.
Aoki throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Williams swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Williams lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A combination from Williams does no damage.
Paul Williams is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Williams takes a swing at Aoki's ribcage but misses.
Aoki throws a big shot that misses.
Aoki misses the shot to the body.
Williams thows a left - swing and a miss!
Williams dips to his left and cracks Aoki with an uppercut!
Williams misses with a body shot.
Aoki tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Williams is able to avoid easily.
Williams takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Williams tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aoki was well out of range. Poor timing from Williams.
Aoki avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Aoki has a takedown stuffed.
Paul Williams seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Williams moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Williams moves away from the strike by Aoki.
Aoki connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
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 walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Aoki lands a lovely overhand right.
Aoki lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Williams lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Aoki shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Aoki misses with a hook. Williams ducked under it nicely.
Williams swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Aoki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Aoki moves into range and clinches up with Williams.
A left hand lands to the body for Aoki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aoki escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Williams has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A jab lands there for Williams.
Williams looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Aoki avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Aoki blocks a jab.
Williams with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Williams lands a slapping body shot.
Williams throws a shot from downtown. Aoki moves away and avoids it.
Williams moves into range and connects with a jab.
Aoki misses with a body kick.
Williams ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aoki moves away.
Aoki attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Aoki checks a leg kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Williams.
Williams ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aoki moves away.
Williams digs a good hook to Aoki's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aoki closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Williams misses with a body shot.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Aoki.
Aoki throws a chopping leg kick but Williams manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Aoki bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Aoki dives in and grabs Williams's left leg, looking for a takedown. Williams pushes down on Aoki's head and hops out.
Williams does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Aoki misses with a straight left.
Aoki throws a leg kick that misses.
Williams lands a nice looking body shot.
Williams cracks Aoki with a right hand to the side of the head.
Aoki throws a predictable looking body shot
and Williams counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Williams throws a leg kick
and Aoki counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aoki clobbers Williams with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Aoki throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aoki blocks a head kick by Williams.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Williams showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Masakazu Aoki's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Aoki throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Aoki lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nice body punch from Williams.
Aoki misses with a hook. Williams ducked under it nicely.
Williams throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Williams is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Aoki gets a clinch.
Aoki using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Williams has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Williams has had enough of the clinch but Aoki keeps him there for the moment.
Aoki keeps control of Williams as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Williams letting Aoki take a breather here.

Aoki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams misses with a wild body shot.
Williams lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Aoki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Williams tests Aoki's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Aoki looks to land a left hand but Williams moved out of range nicely.

Aoki gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Williams swings wildly with an uppercut but Aoki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Williams tries to break the clinch but Aoki is controlling the position.
Aoki blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Aoki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Williams swats away the attempt to clinch by Aoki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Williams defending well as Aoki loads up on a big left hand.
Aoki lands with a right hand.
The fighters circle momentarily. Williams darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Williams scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Aoki doesn't seem bothered though.
Williams blocks a head kick by Aoki.
Aoki is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Williams throws a sloppy head kick and Aoki moves out of range easily.

Aoki drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Williams sneaks back into half guard.
Aoki throws a strike but Williams avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams wants to sweep but no luck.
Aoki trying to control but Williams is working from the bottom.
Aoki postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Williams looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aoki lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Aoki is stalling in the full guard.
Aoki landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.
Aoki controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
We've been hearing good reports from Aoki's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Aoki seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Williams for as long as he can get away with.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Masakazu Aoki wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Williams uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Aoki has time to react.

Aoki shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Williams napping and manages to drive through into side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
Masakazu 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masakazu Aoki!
Masakazu Aoki thanked the fans post fight for their support.